Bail bonds let someone get out of jail while their case moves through court. A bail bond company guarantees the full amount to the court and charges a fee that you don’t get back. Courts set conditions like showing up to every hearing, following travel limits, and staying in touch with pretrial services. Miss court and a judge can issue a bench warrant and the full bail may be forfeited. Laws and options vary widely by state, and some states restrict or ban commercial bail bonding altogether. Always confirm local rules before you sign anything.