What is a defendant's personal promise to appear in court called?

What is a defendant's personal promise to appear in court called?

• A. Personal recognizance bond
• B. Booking
• C. Arraignment
• D. Bail

Answer: (A)

A defendant’s personal promise to appear in court is called a personal recognizance bond. This release option means the judge trusts the individual will return for court without requiring any money or collateral—basically the person signs a written promise to appear. It’s typically offered to low-risk defendants who have ties to the community or no flight risk, rather than someone who must post bail or have a bondsman vouch for them. This is different from bail, which involves posting a specified amount of money or property to guarantee appearance. Booking is the arrest intake process, and arraignment is the first court hearing where charges are read and pleas are entered, not the promise to appear. The term personal recognizance bond precisely describes the situation of release based on the promise to show up without posting money.

A defendant’s personal promise to appear in court is called a personal recognizance bond. This release option means the judge trusts the individual will return for court without requiring any money or collateral—basically the person signs a written promise to appear. It’s typically offered to low-risk defendants who have ties to the community or no flight risk, rather than someone who must post bail or have a bondsman vouch for them.

This is different from bail, which involves posting a specified amount of money or property to guarantee appearance. Booking is the arrest intake process, and arraignment is the first court hearing where charges are read and pleas are entered, not the promise to appear. The term personal recognizance bond precisely describes the situation of release based on the promise to show up without posting money.