What type of bond requires a defendant to pay a specific amount of money upfront to secure their release?

A cash bond requires a defendant to pay a specific amount of money upfront to secure their release from custody. This form of bond reflects a straightforward process where the funds are submitted directly to the court. If the defendant appears for all required court proceedings, the court typically returns the cash amount at the conclusion of the case. This bond is often chosen by defendants as it provides a clear and direct method of securing release without needing a third-party guarantor, which is necessary with surety bonds.

In contrast, a surety bond involves a third-party guarantor, usually a bail bondsman, who agrees to pay the full bail amount if the defendant fails to appear in court. An unsecured bond does not require any payment upfront; instead, the defendant promises to pay a set amount if they do not show up for court. A signature bond also does not require any upfront money, relying instead on the defendant's promise to appear with a signature to guarantee their return. The characteristics of these other types of bonds highlight the unique nature of a cash bond as one requiring immediate payment to secure release.