Bail is collateral, in the form of cash or bond, that must be posted by the defendant to ensure that he or she returns to court on a future date.  If bail is set by the judge, and the defendant posts the amount of money required to make bail, he or she will be released from custody.  A defendant can also be released on his own recognizance (ROR’d) if the court feels that bail is unnecessary.  If the case is particularly serious, the court may remand the defendant, who is then held in custody without bail.