Bail Bond Glossary
We've put together a helpful glossary of words and terms frequently used in law, courtrooms, and of course, the bail bonds industry. Keep in mind that the precise meaning or applied definition may vary from state to state, and it's possible for a term to have multiple definitions. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to email or chat with us if you have additional questions or would like more information about this compilation of legal jargon you're likely to hear a bail bondsman use.
Personal recognizance bond
When an arrestee is granted pretrial release by a judge in lieu of monetary bail or surety bond. The Defendant promises the court that he or she will come back to court for future court dates. Also known as "release on recognizance" or "R.O.R."
Plea
An answer to a charge.
Posting Bail
Posting bail is the process by which the amount needed to release a person from custody is paid to the courts.
Principal
Another term used to denote the Defendant or the accused party.
R.O.R.
An acronym for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Recognizance Bond
See "Personal Recognizance Bond"
Teletype
A secure communications system used by law enforcement agencies to communicate with one another.
Verdict
The finding of a court.