After being arrested, a person will usually need to take certain steps and meet a number of requirements before they can be released. In many cases, a judge will set bail, and the person will be released once this amount is paid. While a person may be able to pay the full amount of bail, securing a bail bond is often the better option, since the person will usually only be required to pay 10% of the full bail amount. However, in some instances, a person may be able to receive a personal bond where they will not be required to post bail.
What Is a Personal Bond?
The purpose of bail is to make sure a person shows up in court when required. The bail that a person pays to the court will be refunded once their case has been completed, and if the person does not meet all of their requirements, this amount will be forfeited. If a judge does not believe that bail would be needed to ensure that a person will appear in court, they may choose to issue a personal bond. This is also known as being “released on one’s own recognizance.”
A personal bond functions as an agreement in which a person will commit to appearing in court for future proceedings throughout their case. A judge may also place certain requirements or restrictions on a person during their release, such as requiring them to undergo treatment for drug or alcohol abuse or submit to drug tests during their case. A judge may still set an amount of bail, and if the person does not meet all requirements during their case, they may be responsible for paying the full amount. Other penalties may apply as well, such as being taken back into custody or facing additional criminal charges.
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