Legal Dictionary
Main Entry:
bailPronunciation:
'bAlFunction:
nounEtymology: Anglo-French, act of handing over, delivery of a prisoner into someone's custody in exchange for security, from
bailler to hand over, entrust, from Old French, from Latin
bajulare to carry (a burden)
1 : the temporary release of a prisoner in exchange for security given for the prisoner's appearance at a later hearing
bail>
2 : the security given for a prisoner's release; also : the amount or terms of the security bail shall not be required —U.S. Constitution amendment VIII> bail> bail>
3 : one who provides bail and is liable for the released prisoner's appearance <bail may arrest or authorize arrest of principal —Code of Alabama>—jump bail : to flee the jurisdiction while released on bail—make bail : to be released on bail