{"id":352296,"date":"2023-12-11T09:05:30","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T14:05:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/posting-bail.html"},"modified":"2023-12-11T09:05:30","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T14:05:30","slug":"posting-bail","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/posting-bail.html","title":{"rendered":"Getting Out of Jail With Bail Money: Setting Bail, Posting Bail, Bond Agents, and Penalties"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Getting Out of Jail With Bail Money: Setting Bail, Posting Bail, Bond Agents, and Penalties<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Bail is the money you pay to be released from jail or custody after your arrest and before trial. Once a court sets the amount of bail, that amount, or a specified percentage, is paid to the court. Payment may be made in cash or an approved cash substitute, such as a money order or cashier’s check.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

You can post your own bail, or you can find someone else who’s willing to pay. Once bail has been posted by you or someone else, the court issues a document or court order providing for your release from jail.
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This article addresses various aspects of bail, including factors for setting bail<\/a> and posting bail. The article also discusses bail bond agents and penalties for failing to appear in court after posting bail.<\/p>\r\n

Posting Bail: Factors for Setting Bail<\/h2>\r\n

When determining your bail amount, a judge or magistrate examines the nature and circumstances of the charges against you. The goal of bail is to ensure you appear at trial.<\/p>\r\n

The judge will pay particular attention to whether your offense involves malice<\/a>, violence, or other dangers to the community. In determining the amount of the bail, the court also examines:<\/p>\r\n