• A bail signed by the guarantors is paid by the defendant instead of the full payment of the bail established by the court.

  • The bail serves as a guarantee that the accused will appear before the court.
  • Judges generally have broad discretion in setting bail amounts.
  • Guarantors generally charge 10% of the deposit upfront in exchange for their services and may charge additional fees. Some states have set an 8% cap on the amount charged.
  • The bail system is widely seen as discriminatory against low-income defendants and encouraging mass incarceration of young African Americans.