If a defendant out on bail fails to appear in court or does not meet the terms of bail, the money is forfeited to the court or, in the case of a bail bond, the full amount must be paid to the bail bondsman.
Some states have court-administered bail bond procedures.
Others have bail-bond sellers who accept collateral from an individual to guarantee the amount of the bail. The bond comes with a fee. A court may choose to release a defendant on no-fee bail if the defendant signs a promise to return to court. This is known as being released on the defendant's own recognizance. A defendant must be allowed a bail hearing within 48 hours of the arrest.