If you start communication with both your bondsman and the court as soon as possible, your court date will, in most cases, be reset, and the forfeiture of your bond will be recalled. However, if you do not get back in touch with your bondsman or the courts, the warrant for your arrest will remain active.
Bond forfeiture means that the person loses the guarantee made by the bail bond company on their behalf. There are some circumstances in which the judge might excuse the accused for missing court and bail or bond can be reinstated.
The legal implications of bail bond forfeiture can be severe. Beyond the financial loss, the defendant may face additional charges for failing to appear in court, complicating their legal situation.
Generally, a bond forfeiture would just revoke liberty and have the defendant return to jail pending trial. So no, a bond forfeiture is not analogous to "guilt" or conviction. in lieu of conviction is "in place of" or "instead of," so alone, that is not a conviction either.
In certain circumstances, a bond forfeiture can be reversed. However, this is typically only possible if the defendant can provide a valid reason for their failure to comply with the conditions of their release, such as a medical emergency or other extenuating circumstances.
Legal Consequences of Bail Bond Forfeiture This financial penalty is intended to reinforce the importance of court appearances. Additionally, the court may issue a bench warrant for the defendant's arrest, leading to further legal trouble and potential jail time.