Welcome to the Bail Bond Select comprehensive glossary, designed to provide you with a clear understanding of the terminologies related to bail bonds. Whether you’re a defendant or a concerned family member, navigating the world of bail can be overwhelming.
This alphabetical glossary aims to simplify the jargon and empower you with knowledge during this challenging time.
10-20-Life Law: A law imposing mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes involving firearms.
5150 Hold: Involuntary psychiatric hold for evaluation.
911: Emergency contact number for immediate assistance.
Arraignment: Initial court appearance where charges are presented.
Bail: A sum of money or collateral paid to secure the release of a defendant before their trial.
Bail Bond: A written agreement signed by a bail bondsman to ensure the defendant’s appearance in court.
Bail Bondsman: A licensed professional who posts the bail on behalf of the defendant.
Bail Forfeiture: Loss of bail due to non-appearance.
Booking: The process of recording a defendant’s arrest details.
Bounty Hunter: A person hired to apprehend a defendant who skipped bail.
Cash Bond: Bail paid in full with cash or cashier’s check.
Cite Out: Releasing a defendant without arrest, with a citation to appear in court.
Collateral: Property or assets pledged to secure the bail bond.
Co-Signer: A person responsible for ensuring the defendant appears in court and complies with bail conditions.
Defendant: The individual accused of a crime and seeking bail.
Exoneration: Release from bail obligations due to case resolution.
Extradition: The process of returning a defendant to a jurisdiction where the crime occurred.
Felony: Serious crime with potential severe penalties.
Fugitive: A defendant who fails to appear in court after posting bail.
Garnishment: Seizing assets to cover bail-related costs.
Habeas Corpus: A legal order to bring a defendant before a court.
Immigration Bond: A bond for non-citizens held by immigration authorities.
Impound: Seizing property to secure a bond.
Indemnitor: Another term for a co-signer on a bail bond.
Jail: A facility where defendants are held before posting bail or during trial.
Jump Bail: Failing to appear in court while out on bail.
Jurisdiction: A specific court’s authority over a case.
Kiosk Bail: Automated bail payment system.
Misdemeanor: A minor offense with usually less severe consequences.
Nebbia Hearing: A hearing to verify the source of bail funds.
Nebbia Pack: Documents verifying the source of bail funds.
No-Contest Plea: Neither admitting nor denying guilt, resulting in a conviction.
O.R. Release: Own Recognizance release.
Own Recognizance (OR): Release without bail, based on the defendant’s promise to appear in court.
Premium: The fee charged by a bail bondsman for their services.
Pretrial Release: Defendant’s release before trial.
Property Bond: Posting bail with tangible assets, like real estate.
Recall: Revoking a bail bond for the defendant’s return to custody.
Recognizance Bond: Same as Own Recognizance (OR) release.
Remand: Detaining a defendant without bail.
Revocation: The bail being terminated due to non-compliance.
Signature Bond: A bond secured only by the defendant’s signature.
Surety: The bail bondsman guaranteeing the defendant’s appearance.
Surety Bond: Another term for a bail bond.
Surrender: Voluntarily returning to custody after jumping bail.
Trial: Legal proceedings to determine the defendant’s guilt or innocence.
Unsecured Bond: A bond without collateral; the defendant’s promise to pay.
Violation: Breach of bail conditions, leading to bond revocation.
Warrant: A court order for a person’s arrest.
Writ: A written court order.