Paying Bail:
Bail can take any of the following forms:
cash or check for the full amount of the bail
property worth the full amount of the bail
a bond (that is, a guaranteed payment of the full bail amount), or
a waiver of payment on the condition that the defendant appear in court at the required time (commonly called “release on one’s own recognizance”).
A bail bond is like a check held in reserve: It represents the person’s promise that he or she will appear in court when required to. The bail bond is purchased by payment of a nonrefundable premium (usually about 10% of the face amount of the bond).