premise: a <mask> at the bar of a court
hypothesis: the best context for <mask> here is A neglect of, or failure to take, some step necessary to secure the benefit of law, as a failure to appear in court at a day assigned, especially of the defendant in a suit when called to make answer; also of jurors, witnesses, etc.; but not A person under arrest, or in custody, whether in prison or not; a person held in involuntary restraint; a captive.