(I took this from this website http://www.lawcollective.org/handbooks/activist/html/court.htm#citation)
Bail: Bail is money you pay to the court, to be forfeit if you don't appear at scheduled hearings. A bail bondsman can put up the money for you, but you have to give the bondsman a percentage of the total bail (usually 10 percent), which s/he keeps as payment. Often, there is a pre-set bail for misdemeanors and lesser felonies which you can pay at the jail without waiting to go before a judge.
Bond: A bond is like bail except that you put up collateral instead of paying money. Collateral is something of value, like a car or house or land.
You can increase your chances of being released on your own recognizance or with a low bail if you can prove that you're not a flight risk by putting together a packet of documents for your first court appearance, to show the judge that you have long-term ties to the community and are therefore unlikely to skip town. Obviously, these packets should be prepared before you engage in activities in which we risk being arrested. It's important to keep the documents in a safe place accessible to friends, lawyers, etc. Assemble as many different types of the following documents as possible.
Lease, rent receipts, utility bills, phone bills (both current bills and very old ones to show the span of time you've been at this residence) employment contract, pay stubs, records of volunteer work (both current and old records),school ID, school records, proof of membership in community organizations or churches, general character, reference letters from landlords, roommates, employers, teachers, clergy
list of character, references with phone numbers
letters on doctor's, stationery about any medical conditions or appointments that necessitate your release.
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This message was edited by TooCute on 6-7-03 @ 10:44 AM