A bail bond is a written agreement to secure the release of a defendant, promising to pay a certain amount to a court if the defendant fails to appear in that court at a scheduled time with regard to the charges for which the bond was written. If the defendant fails to appear and is not present in court within a certain time period, the full amount of the bond is paid to the court. In turn, the bail agent or any surety company through which the bond is written, will look to any indemnitor(s), collateral, and/or defendant for payment of the bond and reimbursement of costs incurred.