Which type of bond guarantees the appearance of a defendant in court?

A bail bond is a specific type of surety bond that is designed to guarantee the appearance of a defendant in court. When a defendant is arrested and wishes to be released from jail before their court date, they may use a bail bond to secure their release. The bail bond acts as a financial guarantee to the court that the defendant will show up for their scheduled hearings. If the defendant fails to appear, the court can forfeit the bond amount, and the bail bondsman may pursue the defendant for reimbursement.

This particular bond serves a crucial role in the legal process by allowing individuals to maintain their freedom while awaiting trial, thus balancing the rights of the accused with the interests of the judicial system. In contrast, other types of bonds, such as performance bonds or payment bonds, address different situations where obligations in contracts are concerned, rather than guaranteeing court appearances.