A bail is forfeited when a defendant fails to appear, without sufficient excuse, for arraignment, trial, judgment, or any occasion prior to the pronouncement of judgment if the defendant's presence in court is legally required, or if the defendant fails to surrender in execution of the judgment after appeal.
In cases where a citation has been issued, the person cited (the defendant) may, with permission of the court, voluntarily agree to waive any court appearances and instead simply agree to voluntarily forfeit the recommended bail amount.
Bail bonds and personal bonds are forfeited in the following manner: The name of the defendant shall be called distinctly at the courthouse door, and if the defendant does not appear within a reasonable time after such call is made, judgment shall be entered that the State of Texas recover of the defendant the amount ...
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.
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.