Bond Duration Explained Bail bonds in California are valid for the life of the cases unless you miss court or get rearrested. Then, depending on the circumstances, you may need to post another bond.
A bail bond is a surety bond, which is posted by a bail bond company to the court as a guarantee for an arrestee's appearance at all court dates. The court will release an arrestee from detention upon posting of the bail bond.
The bail bond agent will need you to sign some paperwork in order for you to secure their services. This usually means paying an amount to the agent, usually a percentage of the total bail amount, and signing off on any collateral for the bond.
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 bail is not posted and the district attorney pursues charges, he or she will remain in jail until the case is finally resolved. You do not need a criminal attorney to post bond, but an attorney can help reduce the amount of bond and help you navigate the bail system.
Failing to post bond has several consequences: Extended Jail Time: You remain in custody until your court date, ranging from weeks to months. Court Appearances: Regular court appearances are required. Impact on Employment and Family: Prolonged jail time can lead to job loss and financial strain.
If you “intentionally or knowingly” skip a court date, not only will your bail be revoked, but you can be charged with an additional crime. Since the charges of bail jumping are tied directly to the underlying offense for which bail was granted, you can be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony.
A bail bond is exonerated when the legal process/trial has finished. It does not matter whether the defendant is found guilty/innocent or if the case has been dismissed. At this point, the bail bond is discharged. However, any unpaid premium, fees or other amounts charged by the bail service provider are still owed.