This means that bail should not be used to raise money for the government or to punish a person for being suspected of committing a crime. The purpose of bail is to give an arrested person her freedom until she is convicted of a crime, and the amount of bail must be no more than is reasonably necessary to keep her from fleeing before a case is over. So much for theory. If you can't afford the amount of bail on the bail schedule, you can ask a judge to lower it. Depending on the state, your request must be made either in a special bail-setting hearing or when you appear in court for the first time, usually called your arraignment.
Most states have similar rules.
Unfortunately, these rules are rarely enforced because the police can simply release the suspect when the time is up and then immediately re-arrest him. There are two ways to pay your bail. You may either pay the full amount of the bail or buy a bail bond. A bail bond may sound like a good deal, but buying a bond may cost you more in the long run. The bond seller can cash-in this interest if you fail to appear in court.