Bail Bonds

• When police arrest a person, the person has a right to a hearing before a judge. At the hearing, the judge considers the crime, the evidence and the person's history, and decides whether or not the person is a likely threat to the community. If not, the judge often sets a bail. Bail is an amount of money or property that a defendant leaves with the court; if he follows the bail terms, the court returns the amount when the case is closed. The bond is the agreement on paper between the court and the defendant once the defendant posts bail.
  
  

Peace Bond

• In Michigan, a peace bond is slightly different than other types of bonds. Peace bonds are designed to protect public order and keep the peace by imposing economic penalties on continuing disputes. A judge can order a peace bond as a way of mediating or halting a dispute. If a dispute reaches a point at which one or more of the individuals or entities involved bring it to court, the judge can order one party to leave money or property with the court.
  
  

Agreements

• When a judge orders a peace bond, the person or entity depositing the bond amount must agree to a set of conditions laid out by the judge. If the defendant violates any of the conditions, the court keeps the deposit. St. Joseph's County states that peace bonds are used in non-violent disputes; conditions can range from agreeing not to speak with a specific person to not carrying out an event.
  
  

Trial by Jury

• If a defendant refuses to pay the peace bond, he can invoke his right to a trial by a jury of peers. The jury is then asked to evaluate the facts and determine if the defendant is likely to disturb the peace. If the jury finds the defendant likely to disrupt the peace, the defendant must leave with the court the amount that the judge ordered through the peace bond for a period of up to 5 years.