In California, a bail bondsman typically has six months to find and return the defendant. If the defendant is not found in the timeframe, you will be responsible for paying not only the full amount of the bond, but also any additional expenses and any unpaid premiums.
If you were arrested in California, this state allows the reinstatement of bail bonds. There are many reasons you may violate the terms of your initial agreement – some of which can be out of your control, like a sudden sickness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In some states and certain counties in California, bail forfeiture can be used as both a means to be released from jail and to close a case. Bail forfeitable offenses are typically misdemeanors such as traffic violations.