No - if you signed the bond it doesn't matter whether you have a job or not - or whether the bondsman asked you if you did. You are liable as surety on the bond - having a job or not has nothing to do with your liability. Sorry.
So, what is the punishment for bail jumping? In California, it generally depends on the nature of the original crime, but skipping bail often leads to harsher sentencing and fines. When a defendant fails to appear in court, the judge typically issues a bench warrant for their arrest.
Most bond agreements include travel restrictions, confining you to a specific geographic area such as your county or state. These limitations are designed to ensure your availability for court dates. If travel is necessary, you must seek prior approval from the court or your bail bondsman.
The court considers the seriousness of the crime, potential penalty, and criminal history in determining the bond length. If the individual has a history of violating the law, the bond length could extend beyond the usual 90 days.
When arrested, the court sets a bail amount based on the crime's severity, your criminal history, and your flight risk. If you can't afford bail, you stay in jail until your court date. The duration of jail time varies.
If the defendant fails to appear in the hearing, or fails to remain entire sobriety during the bail, the defendant jumps bail. Usually, the result of bail jumping leads to the forfeiture of the bond. But sometimes bail jumping can be a crime itself.
You may be eligible for an unsecured bond if you committed a minor crime. In addition, a court may be more inclined to offer you the option of an unsecured bond if you have no criminal history. If you accept an unsecured bond, it is in your best interest to comply with its terms.
Bail jumping occurs when an individual, having posted bail—whether through personal funds or a bail bond company—fails to adhere to their court obligations. Despite being scheduled and ordered to appear for hearings, the individual neglects this responsibility and misses one or more court sessions.
The defendant can post their own bail or ask a family member or friend to post it. If the defendant uses a bond company, the company may require the defendant to have a co-signer (someone who will help the company find the defendant should they fail to appear).