What's the difference between bail and bond?

Bail and Bonds are related terms referring to a requirement imposed by the court that a defendant put forth a financial backing to their promise to appear in court as ordered.

Basically, bail is cash paid by the defendant, or on his/her behalf.

Bonds are, essentially, a document provided by an authorized bonding company guaranteeing that the defendant will appear or the bonding company will have to pay the court.

Bail is accepted in the full amount in cash only. Bonds are usually posted by an approved bonding agent for a set fee (typically around 10% of the bond amount) and other guarantees or collateral.

Bail that is posted is normally returned to the defendant once they have satisfied the courts requirements, but may be forfeited if the defendant does not appear on the assigned court date or may be credited towards fines and fees due to the court. Money paid to a bonding agent is normally considered a fee and is not returned.