If the defendant cannot afford to post his or her own bond, he or she can ask a friend, family member, or professional bail agent (also called a bail bondsman) to act as his or her " surety. " a surety is anyone who posts bail on the defendant's behalf.
[header] How to get a bail bond [title] Learn the basic terms. [step] " bail " is money or property held by the court until the defendant returns for trial. " bond " refers to the promise made by the person posting the bond to forfeit the bond if the defendant does not return.