Under the CCP, what is the primary purpose of bail?

The primary purpose of bail under the Code of Criminal Procedure is to guarantee a defendant's appearance at trial. Bail serves as a financial agreement or assurance that the defendant will return to court to face the charges against them. By allowing the defendant to be released from custody while awaiting trial, the judicial system aims to uphold the principle that individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. This system balances the need to ensure that defendants appear in court with the principle of not unreasonably detaining individuals who have not yet been convicted of a crime.

In this context, the option highlighting punishment reflects a misunderstanding of the bail system’s intent, as it is not meant to impose penalties prior to a verdict. Automatic release for minor offenders does not capture the discretionary nature of bail, which is determined on a case-by-case basis, considering the severity of the offense and the likelihood of the individual's return to court. Furthermore, preventing cases from going to trial does not align with the function of bail; instead, the goal is to facilitate the judicial process by ensuring defendants are present when their cases are heard. Thus, the correct focus on ensuring a defendant's appearance underscores the true purpose of bail within the justice system.