North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

What type of bail/bond permits a defendant's release without immediate payment, but requires full payment if they do not show up?

1. Secured bail

2. Unsecured bail

3. Cash bail

4. Personal bail

The correct answer is: Unsecured bail

The type of bail that permits a defendant's release without immediate payment but requires full payment if they do not show up is known as unsecured bail. In this arrangement, the defendant is released based on a promise to appear in court. If the defendant fails to appear, a specified amount of money (the bail amount) becomes due. This system reassures the court that the defendant will fulfill their obligation while still allowing them some flexibility financially at the time of release. Unsecured bail is commonly used for non-violent offenders who pose a low risk of flight. In contrast, secured bail requires the payment of a set amount or a portion of it to guarantee the defendant's appearance. Cash bail is simply the payment of the full bail amount upfront in cash, while personal bail often involves a written promise to appear and may not have a financial penalty associated with it until a failure to appear occurs. Therefore, unsecured bail is the most accurate description of the scenario provided in the question.