Cash Bail
/ˈkæʃ beɪl/
Definitions
- (n.) A sum of money paid to the court to secure a defendant’s release pending trial and ensure their appearance in court.
The judge set a high cash bail to guarantee the defendant would return for the hearing.
Forms
- cash bail
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Cash bail is a traditional pretrial release mechanism involving a monetary deposit; recent reforms seek alternatives to reduce reliance on cash bail.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.