Go Bail is a slang term for putting up the bail money (cash or bond) to get an accused defendant out of jail after an arrest or pending trial or appeal. This is to ensure that they will appear in court when ordered to do so. If the defendant doesn't show up, the bond money will be forfeited unless the defendant is found and returned, and the court may keep the bail and issue a warrant for the defendant's arrest. Most jails have standard bail amounts for common crimes. If the defendant wants to post bail but can't afford the amount required by the bail schedule, the judge may lower the rate if the defendant requests. If the defendant violates the condition of the bailout, the judge may revoke bail and order the accused to be re-arrested and returned to jail. Sometimes people are released "on their own recognizance," or "O.R." A defendant released on O.R. must simply sign a promise to show up in court and is not required to post bail. Commonly, a defendant who is released on O.R. has strong ties to the community, making them unlikely to flee. Factors that might affect an O.R. release include: having family members living in the community, or having resided in the community for years, or being employed, or having little or no past criminal record, or having been charged with previous crimes and always appeared as required.
[Last updated in February of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]