South Carolina Bail Bonds Practice Exam

What serves as a contract between the surety and the defendant?

1. Bond agreement

2. Defendant application

3. Power of attorney

4. Personal guarantee

The correct answer is: Defendant application

The correct answer is the bond agreement, which serves as a formal contract between the surety and the defendant. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions under which the surety assumes the responsibility for the defendant's bail. It details the obligations of both parties, including the amount of bail, the conditions under which the bail will be forfeited, and the rights of the surety to seek reimbursement if the defendant fails to appear in court. While the defendant application may provide information about the defendant's background and financial situation, it does not constitute the binding contract between the surety and the defendant regarding the bail arrangement. The power of attorney involves granting authority to another person to act on one's behalf, which is unrelated to the specific agreement made for bail. A personal guarantee typically refers to an individual's commitment to assume responsibility for another's debt or obligation, but in the context of bail bonds, it is the bond agreement that formally establishes the contractual relationship.