What is bail and what is its purpose?

Bail is fundamentally a sum of money or a form of security deposited with the court to guarantee that an accused individual will return for their scheduled court appearances. The primary purpose of bail is to ensure that defendants do not flee before the trial while allowing them the opportunity to remain free rather than being held in custody. The system aims to balance the presumption of innocence—since individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty—with the necessity of ensuring their return to court for judiciary proceedings.

In this sense, the correct answer emphasizes bail's function as a means of securing the defendant's accountability rather than serving as a punishment or a penalty. The idea is that, upon payment of bail, defendants may go about their lives while they await trial, thus emphasizing fairness in the judicial process.