recognizance

14 9.9

Formal promise to a court to do something, with loss of money if not done

noun
/ˌrɛkəɡˈnɪzəns/

Formal

: compromiso judicial

Frederick was paroled for the day on his own recognizance.
released on own recognizance
released on personal recognizance
recognizance bond

So we didn't know that the guards were released every night on their own recognizance.

Examples

You're released on your own recognizance.

Knock Off (1998)
My client is not a flight risk, and he should be released on his own recognizance.

She Hate Me (2004)
Free on his own recognizance.

Air Collision (2012)
...and release you on your own recognizance.

Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper (1984)
I believe strongly that she should be released on her own recognizance.

Fiction book (1991)
Prior to 1992, most people were released on their own recognizance.

Blog text (4)
I can release your sister on her own recognizance and dismiss this case in the interest of justice.

Doctor Detroit (1983)
I request that Miss Gaye be released without bail on her own recognizance.

Party Girl (1958)
Connie was released on her own recognizance at 07:00 hours.

Boiling Point (1993)
The judge agreed to release her on recognizance, allowing her to stay with her family until the trial.

Surface Forms

recognizance singular

recognizances plural

Morphology

recognizance = recognize (opaque) = recognize + ance

Although formed from 'recognize' + '-ance' in form, the legal meaning ('a formal obligation/acknowledgement before a court') is not derivable from the verb 'recognize' by a typical learner.

Etymology

Recognizance comes from the same root as the common word recognize, from a Latin idea meaning 'to know again' or 'to acknowledge'. In law it became the name for a person's public 'acknowledgement' before a court, so a recognizance today is a formal promise to the court — you must do something or pay money if you do not.