Free US Law Dictionary

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Bail

Arrest warrant Â· Search warrant
Probable cause Â· Knock-and-announce
Exigent circumstance
Reasonable suspicion
Search and seizure Â· Search of persons
Arrest Â· Detention
Right to silence Â· Miranda warning (U.S.)
Grand jury

Criminal prosecution

Statute of limitations Â· Nolle prosequi
Bill of attainder Â· Ex post facto law
Criminal jurisdiction Â· Extradition
Habeas corpus Â· Bail
Inquisitorial system Â· Adversarial system

Charges and pleas

Arraignment Â· Information Â· Indictment
Plea Â· Peremptory plea
Nolo contendere (U.S.) Â· Plea bargain
Presentence Investigation

Related areas of law

Criminal defenses
Criminal law Â· Evidence
Civil procedure

Portals

Law Â· Criminal justice

Traditionally, bail is some form of property deposited or pledged to a court in order to persuade it to release a suspect from jail, on the understanding that the suspect will return for trial or forfeit the bail (and be guilty of the crime of failure to appear). In most cases bail money will be returned at the end of the trial, if all court appearances are made, no matter whether the person is found guilty or not guilty of the crime accused. In some countries granting bail is common. Even in such countries, however, bail may not be offered by some courts under some circumstances; for instance, if the accused is considered likely not to appear for trial regardless of bail. Countries without bail imprison the suspect before the trial only if deemed necessary.

Legislatures may also set out certain crimes to be unbailable, such as capital crimes.

Under the current law of England and Wales, bail simply refers to the release of the accused before trial.

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