Bail Bond Vocabulary:

Absconding Debtor - Defendant flees a jurisdiction to avoid trial.

Affidavit - Is a written statement that contains the facts, as well as considered under oath when the affidavit is complete by witnesses, plaintiff, or defendant.

Appeal – Is a process to request a new trial.

Arraignment - This is a court action in which defendant’s name is called by an official to read the charges against the defendant.

Arrest Warrant – This is a legal document that is issued by a public officer, and allows an individual to be arrested.

Bail – Is the amount of collateral that a court will hold onto in exchange for a suspects obligation to appearances.

Bail Bondsman – Is a person or corporation licensed, which will act as a surety and pledge money or property as bail for the appearance of a defendant in court.

Bail Bond – A written promise signed by a defendant or surety to pay a fixed amount by court order.

Bail Bond Cost - Also known as a surety bond, is a form of property pledge.

Bail Forfeiture - If a defendant fails to complete court obligations the defendant forfeits the bail refund.

Bounty Hunter – Means bail bondsman must re-apprehend his own fugitive.

Collateral -These are assets that the defendant pledges as part of a loan repayment in the event that cash can’t be provided. Collateral includes: Cash, vehicles, houses, and more.

Docket - These are logs containing full information on a case.

Felony- Is a type of crime that generally has higher bail amounts and stricter sentences, than other types.

Fugitive - Is a person who is fleeing custody.

Jurisdiction – Refers to the court’s authority to hear a case.

Lien – A lien is a claim on a property. A bail bond agency may take a lien on a defendant’s property to assure that the defendant completes the obligation issued by the court. The defendant remains owner during the process.