Authority of Bail Bond Agents So, what authority do bail bond agents have? Bail bond agents can carry firearms (like regular citizens) and make arrests in California. However, they do not have the same power as police officers to investigate crimes, enforce traffic laws, or cordon off specific areas.
And while some will tell you that you can't remain anonymous, the short answer is actually yes, you can. (But with one major consideration.) The Court is going to need a name and person to return the bond to once the court date has been successfully completed.
Contact the Bail Bond Company: Inform the bail bond company of your intention to remove your name from the bond. They will provide you with the necessary steps and paperwork required for the process. Notify the Court: In some cases, you may need to file a motion with the court to remove your name from the bail bond.
Voluntary Bond Revocation – Sometimes, the person who posted the bail (often a family member or friend) may choose to revoke the bond voluntarily. This usually happens if the defendant is not adhering to the conditions of their release or if the person posting bail feels that the defendant is a flight risk.
You'll need to check in with your bail bond agency to check that you meet certain criteria to revoke your signature. After you have done that, your agency will advise you on the required paperwork through their contract management software and what evidence you need to give in order to be released from your agreement.
Along with bail revocation, other penalties under the federal act for violating release conditions or failing to appear include bond forfeiture, fines, and additional prison time, which is tacked on to the end of any other prison time received by the defendant. (18 U.S.C. §§ 3141-3156 (2023).)
You can withdrawl your agreement by calling the bondsman and telling them that you no longer want to be on the bond as you feel the ``criminal'' will not show up to court. You can sign off of the bail but they may arrest your friend.
The decision to post bail for someone should not be taken lightly. Financially, you risk losing the bail amount or collateral if the defendant fails to appear in court. Legally, the defendant's absence can lead to arrest warrants and additional charges, complicating their legal situation further.