Bail is something of value -- such as property, cash, or a bond -- that an arrested person gives to a court to guarantee that he or she will appear in court when they are ordered to do so. If the defendant is ordered to appear but does not show up, the court may then keep the bail, and issue a warrant for the defendant's arrest. Bail is set by the judge. But if a defendant wants to be released without waiting for the judge’s bail determination, they can pay the standard bail amount for their crime, which is set in the station-house’s bail schedule. If a defendant cannot afford the bail amount required by the bail schedule, they can request that the judge lower the amount.