The phrase "makes bail" is commonly used in legal proceedings to refer to the act of a defendant posting a sum of money in order to be released from custody until their trial. The word "makes" is pronounced /meɪks/, with the "a" sound being pronounced like that in "hay" and the "s" sound being pronounced like a "z". "Bail" is pronounced /beɪl/, with the "ai" making a long "a" sound like in "bake". The spelling of the phrase "makes bail" follows standard English spelling conventions for the phonetic sounds of each word.
The phrase "makes bail" refers to the act of securing temporary release from custody by posting a specified sum of money or offering collateral as a guarantee that the accused will appear at subsequent court hearings. When an individual is arrested and charged with a crime, they are typically detained until their court appearance to prevent their potential flight from justice or interference with ongoing investigations.
To "make bail" implies that the accused, or their representative, has successfully arranged for the required funds or collateral to be provided to the court or relevant authorities. The amount of bail is usually determined by a judge, taking into account factors such as the nature of the charges, individual criminal history, flight risk, and potential danger to the community.
Once bail is set, the accused, or their representative, can post the specified amount in full, or a percentage (typically 10%) to a bail bondsman who then guarantees the full amount. If the person attends all required court hearings, the bail money or collateral is returned at the conclusion of the case, irrespective of the final outcome.
Making bail serves as a temporary solution for releasing individuals from custody until their trial or other legal proceedings take place. It allows them to maintain some degree of freedom and continue their normal lives while awaiting resolution of their case. However, failure to appear at scheduled court hearings can result in forfeiting the bail amount and potential issuance of a warrant for the individual's arrest.
The term "makes bail" refers to a situation where a person is released from custody before their trial by providing a certain amount of money or collateral as a guarantee that they will return for their court appearance.
The etymology of the word "bail" can be traced back to the Old French word "baillier", meaning "to give, to deliver". It is derived from the Latin word "bajulare", meaning "to bear a burden". In the context of legal proceedings, "bail" originally referred to the act of handing over or delivering a person into the custody of another, or the act of entrusting someone's care to another.
Over time, the term "bail" evolved to specifically denote the release of a person from custody in exchange for a financial arrangement. This arrangement typically involves a sum of money paid to the court as a guarantee of the person's appearance for their trial.