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Types of Bonds:

Surety Bail Bond -  a private system of bail, free of taxpayers support. Privately licensed bail agents post bonds with the court, guaranteeing a defendant's appearance (most effective bail system)

Cash Bond - the defendant, or someone on his/her behalf, must pay the Court the full amount of the bail, in cash, in order to be released. The defendant and the co-signer, if any, must sign the bond that guarantees the defendant's appearance at future court appearances. This is a governmental system

Own Recognizance (OR) Bond - governmental system in which people swear before the court that they will appear on their own accord for all required court dates

Percent Bond - standard bond requiring ten percent (10%) deposit of the full bond amount directly with the Court. Also referred to as an "Appearance" or "10% bond". Generally, the Court will return 90% of the amount deposited and retain 10% upon the defendant's completion of the case and specified conditions of the Court

 

Other useful Terms:

Acquit - to release from obligation or accusation. To legally cetify the innocence of one charged with a crime

Adjudicate - to settle in the exercise of judicial authority; to finally determine; to try a criminal matter

Capitol Offense - an offense of such severity that should the accused be convicted, the death penalty may be imposed

Collateral - something of value (reasonable in relation to the amount of the bond) placed with the bail agent which may be sold in the event of forfeiture of the bond. The sale of collateral is used to cover the amount of the bail that will be paid to the court

Conviction - the result of a criminal trial which ends in a judgment or sentence that the accused is guilty as charged. It does NOT include judgments which have been expunged by pardon, reversed, set aside, or otherwise rendered negatory

Custody - the care or contol of a thing or person, the detaining of a man's person by virtue of lawful process or authority

Defendant - the party against whom relief or recovery is sought in an action or suit, the accused in a criminal case

Disposition - the sentencing or settlement of a criminal case

Extradition - the procedure by which a state or nation, upon receipt of formal request by another state or nation, turns over to that second jurisdiction an individual charged with or convicted of a crime in that jurisdiction

Felony - a crime of a serious or grave nature which would usually require imprisonment rather than jail (in addition to any other penalty imposed) should the accused be found guilty

Fugitive - one who flees; a flight, evasion or escape from arrest, prosecution, or imprisonment

Hearing - a proceeding in which definite issues of fact or law are tried and witnesses and the accused have a right to be heard; much the same as a trial and may end in a final disposition

Incarceration - imprisonment in a jail or penitentiary

Indemnitor - the co-signer, or person that guarantees the surety against financial loss and restores it to the prior financial condition should the defendant violate or fail to comply with the conditions or provisions of the bail bond

Indictment - a formal written accusation originating with a prosecutor and decided by a grand jury against a party charged with at crime. Aka "true bill". Grand Juries base decisions on probable cause, while Trial Juries base decisions on evidence beyond a reasonable doubt

Misdemeanor - offenses lower than felonies, usually punishable by fine or custody in jail, rather than imprisonment in a penitentiary

Premium - fee (10% in Ohio) for services rendered in securing release of a defendant from custody (bail premium is non-refundable)

Recognizance - an obligation entered into before the court whereby the defendant acknowledges that he/she will do some act(s) required by law or pay a specific amount if he/she fails to perform the required act(s)

Revoke - to annul or make void; to cancel; to rescind or reverse

Suspend - to postpone or stay with purpose of resumption

Warrant - a written order to arrest and bring before a judicial officer, which is made of behalf of the state and based upon a complaint isuued pursuant to statute or court rule

Writ - an order issued from a court requiring the performance of a specific act, giving authority to have it done