A bail bond is a contract between a defendant, a bail bondsman, and the court. It allows defendants to be released from jail before trial.
When bail is set, most people can't afford to pay the full amount. A bail bond lets you pay a percentage (typically 10%) to a bondsman who posts the full bail.
The bail bondsman guarantees to the court that the defendant will appear for all scheduled court dates.
If the defendant appears as required, the bond is returned to the bondsman when the case ends. The premium you paid is not refundable.
Bail bonds have been part of the American justice system for over 100 years, helping people maintain their lives while awaiting trial.