Bail bonds are financial agreements that allow individuals who have been arrested to secure their release from jail while awaiting trial. When a person is arrested, a judge sets a bail amount based on the severity of the crime and the individual's flight risk. If the accused cannot pay the full amount, they can seek help from a bail bondsman. A bail bondsman provides a loan for the bail amount, charging a fee, usually around 10% of the total bail. In return, the bondsman guarantees the court that the accused will appear for their scheduled court dates. If the individual fails to appear, the bondsman may seek to recover the bail amount.