Glossary of Terms

Abscond : To travel covertly out of the jurisdiction of the courts, or to conceal
oneself in order to avoid their process.

Actuarial : Computation of various insurance and property cost.

Adversarial : The party on the opposite side of litigation.

Breach : Violation of a legal obligation, promise, contract term, etc.

Indemnitor - A person that agrees to make good to another for loss caused by a third party.

Mitigate : Action taken by one party in an attempt to reduce damages caused by another.

Personal Bond : (Release On Own Recognizance, ROR) a condition under which an individual is released in lieu of bail i.e., upon his or her promise to appear in answer to a criminal charge.

Pre-trial Release : The process involved in releasing a defendant charged in criminal court prior to trial.

Recovery Agent : An individual charged with the responsibility of apprehending an absconded defendant.

Subrogation : One's payment or assumption of an obligation for which another is primarily liable.

Surety : A party (usually an insurance company) that guarantees performance on a contract.

Surety Bond
A bond issued by one party, the Surety, guaranteeing performance of certain acts promised by another. In a criminal case the surety bond assures the appearance of the defendant or the repayment of bail forfeited upon the defendant's failure to appear in court.

Ten-Percent (10%) Bond : A provision Allowing the defendant to deposit ten percent of the full bail amount with the court.