Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Admission to bail is when a court allows someone who has been accused of a crime to be released from jail until their trial. The accused person must pay a certain amount of money, called bail, to guarantee that they will come back to court. If they don't come back, they lose the money they paid. In some cases, the court may not allow someone to be released on bail if they think the person might run away or hurt someone. Bail bondsmen can help people pay bail, but they charge a fee and may require collateral. If the accused person does not come back to court, the bail bondsman may have to bring them back to jail.
Admission to bail is a court order that allows an accused defendant to be released from custody before their trial. The defendant must post bail, which can be either cash or a bond, in an amount set by the court. The purpose of bail is to ensure that the defendant appears in court when required.
In minor cases, such as petty theft or drunk driving, a judge will set bail based on a rate schedule that can be quickly obtained. In more serious cases, such as murder or treason, the court may not admit the defendant to bail due to the likelihood of the defendant fleeing or causing harm.
Bail bondsmen are available near larger courthouses and jails. They charge a fee of ten percent of the court-required bond and often require collateral for the amount posted. If the defendant fails to appear in court or flees, they may lose their deposit.
For example, if someone is arrested for shoplifting, the judge may set bail at $1,000. If the defendant posts bail, they can be released from custody until their trial. If they fail to appear in court, they may lose their $1,000 deposit.
Another example is if someone is arrested for murder. The court may not admit them to bail due to the seriousness of the crime and the likelihood of the defendant fleeing or causing harm.