A written guarantee, often accompanied by money or other securities, that the person charged with an offense will remain within the court's jurisdiction to face trial at sometime in the future: A bail bond is an obligation provided by a prisoner and his guarantor to insure the prisoner to appear at court for trial at the specified time.

Any organization established for the purpose of posting bail for criminal suspects: Bail bond companies are agencies that are almost uniquely found in the U.S.A. because the usual procedure of bail bonding is illegal in most other countries.

Cash payment for situations in which charges are not serious and the scheduled bail is low.

Defendants obtain release by paying in cash the full amount, which is recoverable after the required court appearances are made.