Florida Bail Bonds Practice Exam

What does estreat mean in bail bonds?

1. A process of releasing a defendant

2. A method for collecting bail fees

3. The process of calling on the surety to produce the defendant before the court

4. A legal limit on bail amounts

The correct answer is: The process of calling on the surety to produce the defendant before the court

Estreat refers to the process by which a court calls upon the surety, or bail bond company, to produce a defendant who has failed to appear in court. This legal procedure allows the court to take action against the surety for the bond amount if the defendant does not show up. By estreating the bail, the court seeks to enforce accountability on the part of the surety to ensure that the defendant complies with their obligation to appear at scheduled court proceedings. The other options do not accurately define estreat. The option about releasing a defendant pertains more to the bail process rather than the concept of estreat itself. The method for collecting bail fees refers to administrative procedures rather than the court's actions regarding sureties. Lastly, establishing a legal limit on bail amounts is a separate legal concept related to the setting of bail, not to the enforcement or repercussions of a bond under estreat. Therefore, the definition of estreat is specifically tied to the court's action of requesting the surety to bring the defendant before the court.