What type of bond guarantees the defendant's appearance in court?

A surety bond is a formal agreement that guarantees the appearance of a defendant in court. In this arrangement, a bail bondsman pays the court on behalf of the defendant, assuring that the individual will appear at their scheduled court hearings. If the defendant fails to appear, the bail bondsman may lose the bond amount paid to the court and could take steps to locate and return the defendant. This bond involves three parties: the defendant (principal), the bail bondsman (surety), and the court (obligee), establishing a structured method for ensuring accountability in court attendance.

Other types of bonds, such as cash bonds, personal bonds, and collateral bonds, do not function in the same way. A cash bond involves the defendant or a third party paying the full bail amount directly to the court, which is refunded upon the defendant's appearance. A personal bond is often based on the defendant's promise to appear, sometimes without requiring any payment, while a collateral bond involves pledging specific assets to secure bail. While those options may result in the defendant's release, they do not involve the added layer of assurance and accountability provided by a surety bond.