Difference Between Bail and Bond

Last updated on August 30, 2017 by Surbhi S

On the event of arrest and imprisonment of an accused of a criminal offence, the accused must be
presented before the judge who gives his/her verdict concerning the accused’s bail order. The
term bail can be described as a provisional release of the accused charged with a crime awaiting
trial, by the deposit of security.

As against, the bond refers to the type of agreement in which a third party, i.e. bond agent or
bondsman enter into an agreement, to be responsible for the debt and obligation of the person
under indictment. The two terms are more or less related to one another. However, there exists a
fine line of difference between bail and bond which is explained in this article in a detailed
manner.

Content: Bail Vs Bond

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 1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR
BAIL BOND
COMPARISON

Meaning Bail implies the temporary release of
person under indictment, waiting for
trial, by depositing a certain sum as
collateral, to ensure his/her future
attendance at the court.
Bond is used to mean the
bondsman's pledge to
make good, on the bail, if
the defendant fails to
appear before the court.

Paid by Defendant or by someone in his behalf. Bail bondsman

Consideration Cash Third party takes the

responsibility of the debt
and obligation of the
accused.

Money Refunded at the end of the trial. Not refunded.

Cost Less Comparatively high

Definition of Bail
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By the term bail, we mean the release of the litigant, from police custody and entrusting him/her
to the private custody of the person, who guarantees the department to produce the litigant, to
answer the charge, whenever required. It is a court’s approval that allows the accused to be out of
jail, on the deposit of necessary amount and compliance to the necessary conditions.

In finer terms, bail is an agreement, wherein the person under indictment makes a written
assurance to the legal authority, that he/she will appear to the court until the proceedings are
finished with respect to the case and will adhere to the terms and conditions set out in the
agreement.

Further, a specified sum has to be deposited for availing bail, as security, which is refunded to the
person, if he complies with the conditions carefully and the same will be forfeited if the person
defaults in the fulfilment of the conditions specified in the agreement without reasonable cause.

An anticipatory bail is one granted by the Session Court or High Court, to an accused who
perceives arrest for the commission of the nonbailable offence, but is not yet arrested by the
police officers.

Definition of Bond
Bond can be understood as a formal written agreement, duly signed by the defendant and surety
to make good to pay the definite sum, if the defendant fails to appear the court for a specified
criminal proceeding, at the stipulated date and time. It is a mechanism used to avail the release of
the accused, waiting for the trial upon the criminal charges, from the police custody.

Bond is actually the commitment of the bonds person to fulfil the debt if the accused defaults in
appearing before the court. The defendant pays 10% interest on the value of the bond, to the
bondsman, along with the collateral.

Key Differences Between Bail and

Bond
The difference between bail and bond can be drawn clearly on the
following grounds:

1. Bail implies the provisional release of the accused who is awaiting

trial, provided that a certain sum is deposited to the appropriate
authority, as security, to assure their appearance in the court.
Conversely, bond connotes the surety bond, i.e. the bonds person
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 commits to making good, the loss caused if the defendant does
not appear to the court when called.
2. In bail, the consideration is paid by the defendant or by someone
on his/her behalf, such as friends or family. Unlike, the
consideration in bond is paid by the bail bondsman who acts as a
surety to the agreement.
3. In bail is allowed for a definite consideration, fixed by the court,
whereas bond is available only if a third party who possesses
credibility takes the responsibility of the debt and obligation of
the accused.
4. The amount of bail is returned to the defendant at the end of the
trial when all the court proceedings are complied with. On the
other hand, the amount paid in the form of the fee, for the
services rendered is not refunded.
5. The amount of bail is comparatively less than the bond because it
does not involve interest.

Conclusion
The basic objective of arrest and detention of the accused is to ensure that his appearance to the
court, whenever he is called for trial. If that accused confesses the crime and is sentenced to
imprisonment, then he must be present for the same.

However, if the person under indictment can appear before the court, without being imprisoned,
then it seems unfair to keep him in police custody until it is proved that the crime is committed by
him only. Bail and bond are two such alternatives available to the defendant. While cash bonds
are termed as bail, the surety bond is termed as bond.