What Does It Mean to ‘Go Bail’?

The expression “go bail” is most often used in the legal system to refer to the process of providing a financial surety or guarantee to secure the release of someone who has been arrested and detained by the police. In other words, it means to provide bail money to ensure the suspect appears in court.

When someone is arrested for a criminal charge, the court generally requires a monetary payment — known as bail — to guarantee the suspect will appear for their court hearing. If the suspect does not show up to court, they forfeit the bail money paid on their behalf. This is why it is important for the person posting bail to have an assurance that the person they post bail for will indeed attend their court hearing.

When a person must go bail to be released from jail, they turn to a bail bondsman. This professional is responsible for ensuring that the court receives the bond money and holds it as a guarantee that the defendant will face court proceedings. In many states, the bail bondsman will take a percentage of the bail amount as payment for their services.

Today, in many areas of the country, the use of technology has made the process of posting bail much simpler and less expensive. It is now possible to use an online bail bondsman to process a transaction within minutes, which can result in a release from jail much faster, without the need to go through all the traditional paperwork.

Conclusion

Overall, the term “go bail” refers to the process of providing a surety for the release of a person who has been detained by the police or held in jail, in order to ensure they will appear in court for the scheduled hearing. The bail bondsman plays an important role in this process, as they are responsible for providing the financial reassurance demanded by the court.