Bail refers to money or security paid to the court in order to secure the temporary release of a defendant charged with a crime. The defendant or the friend or family of the defendant pays money to the court in the promise that the defendant will reappear for the next court hearing in the case. Historically, bail did not require the delivery of money, but a person would serve as a surety and promise that the defendant would appear for later court dates.
- Is there a difference between the initial appearance and the arraignment?
- After a person is booked, what happens next?
- Is a person entitled to an attorney during the booking process?
- When a person is arrested and taken into custody, what happens next?
- What warnings must the police give you when they arrest you and place you in custody?
- What is an arrest?
- How does the criminal process begin?
- What felonies can lead to the death penalty?
- What are some examples of how states define first degree murder?
- What is a wobbler?
- What are the legal results of a felony conviction?
- What are examples of crimes that constitute felonies?
- Who determines whether conduct constitutes a felony or a misdemeanor?
- What are the basic types of crimes?
- Is a trial judge required to give a definition of beyond a reasonable doubt?
- What exactly does beyond a reasonable doubt mean?
- What classic definition of beyond a reasonable doubt did Chief Justice Shaw provide?
- What distinguishes criminal law from civil law?
- What is a crime?
- Why is legal language sometimes hard to understand?
