A more thorough explanation:

A bail-point scale is a method used to determine whether a criminal defendant is eligible for bail. It involves assigning points to the defendant based on their background and behavior. The total number of points determines whether the defendant will be released on personal recognizance or if a bail amount will be set.

Let's say a defendant is arrested for a non-violent crime and has no prior criminal record. They may be assigned a low number of points and be eligible for release on personal recognizance. However, if the defendant has a history of violent behavior or has failed to appear in court in the past, they may be assigned a higher number of points and be required to pay bail in order to be released.

Another example could be a defendant who is arrested for a drug-related offense. If they have a history of drug abuse and have been in and out of rehab, they may be assigned a higher number of points and be required to pay bail. On the other hand, if they have no prior drug-related offenses and have a stable job and family, they may be assigned a lower number of points and be eligible for release on personal recognizance.

These examples illustrate how the bail-point scale takes into account a defendant's background and behavior to determine their eligibility for bail. It is a way to ensure that defendants who are considered a flight risk or a danger to the community are required to pay bail, while those who are not can be released without having to pay.