The whole post by of bail is to give incentive to appear in court. I know the process varies by state, but typically it’s assigned when there is reason to believe that the person may not show up for their court date without an incentive.
There is a reason for that. A way higher number of people that you would probably believe blow off court dates.
Yeah, of all the things to ignore I know it seems crazy that people who ignore a criminal court date. But it is way more common than you think.
When I was a deputy FTA, or Failure To Appear, was the most common Warrant I arrested people on. People would have a court date set for something minor- shoplifting, misdemeanor possession, driving without registration etc. and then not show up for court. Judges don’t like that. At all. You will face the new charge on top of the arrest and you will get arrested and go to jail longer and in the end receive a longer harsher sentence.
Bail helps provide incentive to show up. To get your money back or for whomever posted your bail to get it back. Or if you used a bondsman for them to have their scumbag bail enforcement agents to come drag you before the court.
Absent a bail system I suspect you will see a whole, whole lot more people end up facing more serious charges for what would have been minor stuff because they blow off court dates, and that will harm them long term in their lives.
Bail is meant to ensure the person shows up for court. In many ways this is a protection against them making stupid choices that will harm them long term more than it is a protection for the courts. Because they will make it in front of the judge eventually, the only question is how many more charges will they add by skipping out and how kissed will the judge be come sentencing time.
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