When you think of bail, the first thing that comes to mind is probably criminal law. Bail is used in criminal cases to allow defendants to be released from jail before their trial date. There are a variety of different types of bail, each with its own set of requirements and conditions. In this article, we will discuss the different types of criminal law bonds and what you need to know about them.
What is a Bond
When a person is arrested and charged with a crime, they may be offered the chance to post bail to be released from custody before their trial date. This is known as a criminal law bond. In most cases, the defendant will pay the sum of money to the court to be released; this is known as the bond amount. However, in some cases, the defendant may be unable to afford to post bail and will have to remain in jail until their trial date.
In addition to paying the bond amount, the defendant may also be required to post collateral (such as their house) or find someone willing to act as their guarantor. If the defendant fails to appear for their trial date, the court can take possession
Surety Bonds
A surety bond is a type of bond that is used in the United States to guarantee the appearance of a defendant in court. A surety bond is typically used in cases where the defendant cannot afford to post bail themselves.
To obtain a surety bond, the defendant must find a guarantor who is willing to act as their sponsor. The guarantor must be a United States citizen and must have a good credit rating. They must also be willing to sign an agreement stating that they will be responsible for ensuring that the defendant appears in court.
If the defendant fails to appear in court, the guarantor can be held liable for the full amount of the bond.
Recognizance Release
Recognizance release is a type of bail that is used in the United States. It is typically used in cases where the defendant is not considered to be a flight risk.
To be released on recognizance, the defendant must agree to appear in court for all of their scheduled hearings. They must also agree to follow all the conditions set by the court, such as not committing any more crimes.
If the defendant fails to appear in court or violates any of the conditions set by the court, they can be arrested and re-imprisoned.
Property Bonds
A property bond is a type of bail that is used in the United States. It is typically used in cases where the defendant is not considered to be a flight risk.
To be released on a property bond, the defendant must agree to forfeit their property to the court if they fail to appear for their trial date. The property that is forfeited can be seized by the government and sold to repay the bond amount.
If the defendant fails to appear in court or violates any of the conditions set by the court, they can be arrested and their property can be seized by the government.
Immigration Bail Bonds
An immigration bond is a type of bail that is used to guarantee the appearance of an immigrant in court. An immigration bond is typically used in cases where the immigrant has been arrested and charged with a crime.
To obtain an immigration bond, the immigrant must find a guarantor who is willing to act as their sponsor. The guarantor must be a United States citizen and must have a good credit rating. They must also be willing to sign an agreement stating that they will be responsible for ensuring that the immigrant appears in court.
Citation Release
The citation release is a type of bail that is used in the United States. It is typically used in cases where the defendant has been arrested and charged with a minor offense.
To be released on citation release, the defendant must agree to appear in court for all of their scheduled hearings. They must also agree to follow all the conditions set by the court, such as not committing any more crimes.
Conclusion
Defendants need to understand the different types of bail bonds that are available to them. This information can help them make an informed decision about which type of bail is the best fit for their situation.
Knowing the different types of bail bonds can also be helpful for guarantors and property owners who may be asked to post bond on someone’s behalf. Being familiar with the terms and conditions associated with each type of bond can help ensure that everyone involved understands their responsibilities.
