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Simple English definitions for legal terms
bail
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A quick definition of bail:
Term: Bail
Definition: Bail is money that a person accused of a crime pays to be released from jail while they wait for their trial. The money is like a promise that they will come back to court on the date they are supposed to. If they don't come back, they lose the money and can be arrested again. The judge decides how much money the person has to pay based on how likely they are to run away, how serious the crime is, and how dangerous the person is. Sometimes, the judge also makes the person promise to behave in a certain way, like not talking to the person they are accused of hurting.
A more thorough explanation:
Bail is a sum of money that a person accused of a crime pays to the court as a guarantee that they will show up for their trial. If the person fails to appear in court, they lose the money they paid as bail.
The amount of bail is determined by the judge or magistrate based on several factors, including the seriousness of the crime, the likelihood of the defendant fleeing, and the safety of the community. Sometimes, the court may also impose certain conditions on the defendant, such as staying away from the alleged victim.
For example, if someone is arrested for shoplifting, they may be required to pay bail to be released from jail until their trial. If they show up for their trial, they will get their bail money back. However, if they fail to appear in court, they will lose the money they paid as bail.