Bail is a sum of money paid to a court in order to secure the release of an arrested person. The purpose of bail is to ensure that the accused will appear in court when required. In most cases, bail is set by a judge and must be paid in full. However, in some cases a defendant may be released on their own recognizance (or “O.R.”), meaning they do not have to pay bail but must still appear in court when required.
If you have been arrested and need to post bail, you will need to contact a criminal lawyer. Your lawyer can help you negotiate with the court and may be able to get your bail reduced or waived altogether.