Legal Definitions - bailpiece

Definition: A bailpiece is a document that records the nature of the bail granted to a defendant in a civil action. It can also refer to a warrant issued to a surety upon which the surety may arrest the person bailed by them.

Example 1: In the past, a bailpiece was a document that was filed with the court and signed by the defendant's sureties. It attested to the act of offering bail in a civil action.

Example 2: Nowadays, a bailpiece can also refer to a warrant issued to a surety. This warrant allows the surety to arrest the person they bailed if they fail to appear in court.

Both examples illustrate how a bailpiece is a legal document that is used to ensure that a defendant appears in court. It provides a guarantee that the defendant will show up for their court date, and if they don't, the surety can be held responsible.