Bail: How to make bail when you or a loved one is arrested

To avoid spending time in jail when arrested for a relatively minor charge, you may make the bail set by the court.

Bail encompasses your promise to appear for trial, a promise which is backed by an amount you or anyone acting on your behalf agrees to pay if you fail to go back for trial.

Right to bail is not automatic, although most countries provide for bail for most crimes.

If bail is set at amount X, for example, you must pay an amount X in cash to the assigned institution. If you are short of cash, a bail bondsman may provide the money for a fee but will demand collateral, that is, valuables that can be sold.

Once you make bail, you are free to go, although bail can be revoked if you are arrested on other charges before your trial. In that case, you can be put back to jail.

If you run away while on a bail and thus unable to appear on hearings, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest on the new charge of bail jumping.

If that happens, you lose any amount or collateral posted. Nonetheless, if you have a good reason for not appearing, such as serious sickness, inform the court so as to avoid the new charges and penalties. (Read: The need to follow the law)