The defendant is presented with a written accusation dealing the facts of the crime and his or her involvement in the crime. The written accusation may be presented by a grand jury, a prosecutor or a police officer. If the defendant enters a not guilty plea, a date for trial is set. Bail is either set or the defendant is required to be detained, kept in jail until the trial. Bail could range from being "released on your own recognizance," in other words, you are on your honor to appear at the next hearing, to many thousands of dollars. When a higher amount of bail is set, a bail bondsman is often called to provide the bail payment in exchange for a fee and a lien against property, as collateral, of the defendant. If bail is posted, the defendant is released but must show up at the next hearing, or...
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