保释是指疑犯被羁押后，取保获释，随时听传的状态。

当在警署保释申请失败或未能在警署获得保释，被捕人会在被拘留的48小时内被决定该刑事案件是否会移交上裁判法院。被控人可在裁判法院再次申请保释，通常会透过私人律师或裁判法院的当值律师代表被告申请。

根据香港法例第221章刑事诉讼进程条例9C条对保释的释义

「获准保释」、「准予保释」（admitted to bail）指法庭基于某人对法庭承诺在法庭指定的日期归押而将该人从羁留中释放。

关于被控人获准保释的权利，请参见香港法例第221章刑事诉讼进程条例9D条

Traditionally, bail is some form of property deposited or pledged to a court to persuade it to release a suspect from jail, on the understanding that the suspect will return for trial or forfeit the bail (and possibly be brought up on charges of the crime of failure to appear). In some cases, bail money may be returned at the end of the trial, if all court appearances are made, regardless of whether the person is found guilty or not guilty of the crime accused. If a bondsman is used and a surety bond has been obtained, the fee for that bond is the fee for the insurance policy purchased and is not refundable.