Bail bond

Bail bond is an agreement to pay the court if a criminal defendant fails to meet the terms of conditional release from custody. Many bail bonds are signed by the defendant and the defendant's sureties (e.g., a bondsman).  Some bail bonds are signed by the defendant only, who may need to deposit money with the court as security for the bond. However, most defendants are financially unable to post their own bail, so they seek a written agreement with a bail bondsman. The bail bondsman acts as a surety by providing money to the court for the person’s bail, promising the defendant will appear in court. 

See: Bail; Bail bondsman