Those defendants for whom judges set a 'cash alternative' bail, which effectively 'discounts' the cost of release, are considerably more likely to make bail than those for whom no 'cash alternative' is designated. Research suggests that judicial decisions regarding the setting of cash alternatives are less consistent and less rational than decisions about either release on recognizance or the face amount of bail. Given the influence of cash alternative bails on pretrial release, there is a need to learn more about the judicial decision to set or not set a bail 'discount.' (Publisher abstract)