Legal Definitions - cash bail

Definition: Cash bail is a sum of money that is paid to secure the release of a prisoner from jail. It is a type of security required by a court for the prisoner's future appearance.

Examples: If someone is arrested and charged with a crime, they may be required to pay cash bail to be released from jail until their trial. For example, if the bail is set at $10,000, the person or their family must pay that amount to the court to secure their release. If the person appears in court as required, the bail money will be returned at the end of the trial.

Explanation: Cash bail is a way for the court to ensure that a defendant will appear in court for their trial. If the defendant fails to appear, the court keeps the bail money. Cash bail can be a burden for people who cannot afford to pay it, and some argue that it unfairly punishes people who have not yet been convicted of a crime.