A bail bond is a financial agreement that allows a person accused of a crime to be released from jail while awaiting trial. When a judge sets a bail amount, the accused can pay this amount directly or use a bail bond service. The bail bond service typically charges a fee, usually a percentage of the total bail, to secure the release. If the accused fails to appear in court, the bail bond company is responsible for paying the full bail amount to the court. This means they may seek to recover the costs by locating the individual, often involving a bounty hunter.