Bail Bonds Bail Bond Principles 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'surety bond' in bail terms?
- A bond posted directly in cash by the defendant
- A bond where a third-party bondsman guarantees the full bail amount (Correct answer)
- A bond requiring no payment
- A bond issued only for federal cases
Correct answer: A bond where a third-party bondsman guarantees the full bail amount
A surety bond involves a bondsman/insurance company guaranteeing payment of the full bail to the court.
Question 2: What is the difference between a cash bond and a surety bond?
- There is no difference
- A cash bond requires the full amount paid in cash; a surety bond uses a bondsman (Correct answer)
- A surety bond is always cheaper
- A cash bond cannot be refunded
Correct answer: A cash bond requires the full amount paid in cash; a surety bond uses a bondsman
A cash bond requires the entire bail amount in cash, while a surety bond uses a bondsman who charges a premium.
Question 3: What is a bail schedule?
- The defendant's court calendar
- A predetermined list of bail amounts for specific offenses (Correct answer)
- The bondsman's payment plan
- A list of bounty hunters
Correct answer: A predetermined list of bail amounts for specific offenses
A bail schedule is a preset list of bail amounts assigned to common offenses.
Question 4: What is a recognizance release (ROR)?
- Release after paying full bail
- Release on a written promise to appear without posting money (Correct answer)
- Release to a bondsman's custody
- Release only for felonies
Correct answer: Release on a written promise to appear without posting money
Release on own recognizance (ROR) lets a defendant go free on a written promise to appear, with no bail payment.
Question 5: Which factor is a judge LEAST likely to consider when setting bail?
- The defendant's flight risk
- The severity of the alleged crime
- The defendant's favorite color (Correct answer)
- The defendant's criminal history
Correct answer: The defendant's favorite color
Bail decisions are based on flight risk, crime severity, and history—not irrelevant personal preferences.
Question 6: What is a 'property bond'?
- A bond secured by real estate pledged to the court (Correct answer)
- A bond posted by a property manager
- A bond only for property crimes
- A cash deposit
Correct answer: A bond secured by real estate pledged to the court
A property bond uses real estate as collateral pledged to the court to secure release.
Question 7: If a defendant is found not guilty, what happens to a cash bail that was posted in full?
- It is kept by the court
- It is returned, minus any fees (Correct answer)
- It is paid to the bondsman
- It is forfeited
Correct answer: It is returned, minus any fees
Cash bail is generally returned once the case concludes, minus any administrative fees owed.
Bail Bonds Bail Bond Principles 3
What is a 'surety bond' in bail terms?