When someone gets arrested in North Carolina, one of the first questions is: “Can I just post my own bail?” The answer is—sometimes. But like many things in the legal system, it depends on a few key details.

When someone hears the word "bail," they often assume they’ll need to come up with a large amount of cash or put something valuable on the line, like a home or car. But in North Carolina, that’s not always the case. Unsecured bail bonds allow certain individuals to be released from jail without ...