Bail vs. Recognizance — What's the Difference?

Bail is a set of pre-trial restrictions that are imposed on a suspect to ensure that they will not hamper the judicial process. Bail is the conditional release of a defendant with the promise to appear in court when required.

In some common law nations, a recognizance is a conditional obligation undertaken by a person before a court. It is an obligation of record, entered into before a court or magistrate duly authorized, whereby the party bound acknowledges (recognizes) that they owe a personal debt to the state.

The temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on condition that a sum of money is lodged to guarantee their appearance in court

An obligation, entered into before a judge or magistrate, to perform a particular action, such as appearing in court, without the posting of a bond

Either of the two crosspieces bridging the stumps, which the bowler and fielders try to dislodge with the ball to get the batsman out

A sum of money pledged to assure the performance of such an action.

A bar on a typewriter or computer printer which holds the paper steady.

(legal) a form of bail; a promise made by the accused to the court that they will attend all required judicial proceedings and will not engage in further illegal activity or other prohibited conduct as set by the court.

A fastening that secures a crampon to the sole of a boot.

A token; a symbol; a pledge.

A bar or pole separating horses in an open stable.

Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition.

Release or secure the release of (a prisoner) on payment of bail

An obligation of record entered into before some court of record or magistrate duly authorized, with condition to do some particular act, as to appear at the same or some other court, to keep the peace, or pay a debt. A recognizance differs from a bond, being witnessed by the record only, and not by the party's seal.

Confront (someone) with the intention of robbing them

A token; a symbol; a pledge; a badge.

Secure (a cow) during milking.

Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition.

Scoop water out of (a ship or boat)

(law) a security entered into before a court with a condition to perform some act required by law; on failure to perform that act a sum is forfeited

Abandon a commitment, obligation, or activity

Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.

Release from imprisonment provided by the payment of such money.

A person who provides this security.

A container used for emptying water from a boat.

The arched hooplike handle of a container, such as a pail.

An arch or hoop, such as one of those used to support the top of a covered wagon.

A hinged bar on a typewriter that holds the paper against the platen.

The pivoting U-shaped part of a fishing reel that guides the line onto the spool during rewinding.

A small loop, usually of metal, attached to a pendant to enable it to be strung on a necklace or bracelet.

Chiefly British A pole or bar used to confine or separate animals.

(Sports) One of the two crossbars that form the top of a wicket used in the game of cricket.

To secure the release of by providing security.

To release (a person) for whom security has been paid.

(Informal) To extricate from a difficult situation

To remove (water) from a boat by repeatedly filling a container and emptying it over the side.

To empty (a boat) of water by bailing.

To empty a boat of water by bailing.

To parachute from an aircraft; eject. Often used with out

To abandon a project or enterprise. Often used with out

Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.

Release from imprisonment on payment of such money.

The person providing such payment.

A bucket or scoop used for removing water from a boat etc.

A person who bails water out of a boat.

(obsolete) Custody; keeping.

A hoop, ring or handle (especially of a kettle or bucket).

A stall for a cow (or other animal) (usually tethered with a semi-circular hoop).

A hinged bar as a restraint for animals, or on a typewriter.

A frame to restrain a cow during milking or feeding.

A hoop, ring, or other object used to connect a pendant to a necklace.

(cricket) One of the two wooden crosspieces that rest on top of the stumps to form a wicket.

(furniture) Normally curved handle suspended between sockets as a drawer pull. This may also be on a kettle or pail.

To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail.

(legal) To release a person under such guarantee.

(legal) To hand over personal property to be held temporarily by another as a bailment.

To remove (water) from a boat by scooping it out.

To remove water from (a boat) by scooping it out.

To set free; to deliver; to release.

(slang) To exit quickly.

To fail to meet a commitment (to a person).

To secure the head of a cow during milking.

(rare) To confine.

To secure (a cow) by placing its head in a bail for milking.

To keep (a traveller) detained in order to rob them; to corner (a wild animal); loosely, to detain, hold up.

A bucket or scoop used in bailing water out of a boat.

Custody; keeping.

The person or persons who procure the release of a prisoner from the custody of the officer, or from imprisonment, by becoming surety for his appearance in court.

The security given for the appearance of a prisoner in order to obtain his release from custody of the officer; as, the man is out on bail; to go bail for any one.

The arched handle of a kettle, pail, or similar vessel, usually movable.

A half hoop for supporting the cover of a carrier's wagon, awning of a boat, etc.

A line of palisades serving as an exterior defense.

The outer wall of a feudal castle. Hence: The space inclosed by it; the outer court.

A certain limit within a forest.

A division for the stalls of an open stable.

The top or cross piece (or either of the two cross pieces) of the wicket.

To lade; to dip and throw; - usually with out; as, to bail water out of a boat.

To dip or lade water from; - often with out to express completeness; as, to bail a boat.

To deliver; to release.

To set free, or deliver from arrest, or out of custody, on the undertaking of some other person or persons that he or they will be responsible for the appearance, at a certain day and place, of the person bailed.

To deliver, as goods in trust, for some special object or purpose, upon a contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be faithfully executed on the part of the bailee, or person intrusted; as, to bail cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment; to bail goods to a carrier.

(criminal law) money that must be forfeited by the bondsman if an accused person fails to appear in court for trial;

The legal system that allows an accused person to be temporarily released from custody (usually on condition that a sum of money guarantees their appearance at trial);

Release after a security has been paid

Deliver something in trust to somebody for a special purpose and for a limited period

Secure the release of (someone) by providing security

Empty (a vessel) by bailing

Remove (water) from a vessel with a container