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 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.
In California, if you are a co-signer and you wish to revoke a bail bond, you will need to contact the bail bond agency and explain the situation. You will need to liaise with the bail bond company and ensure that the relevant courts are aware of the changes to make the decision official.
A bond forfeiture occurs when a person is required to show up for court on either a personal bond or a surety bond, and they fail to show up for that court date. Some judges will give a bit of leeway, especially if that person has an attorney who can argue for them as to why they were not able to make it.
If Your Bond is Revoked, Can You Get Another One? In some cases, it is possible to secure a new bond after revocation, but it is not guaranteed and often comes with additional challenges: Appealing the Revocation – Defendants can appeal the bond revocation in court.
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 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.
The immediate consequence of bail bond forfeiture is the loss of the bail amount, which can be financially devastating. This financial penalty is intended to reinforce the importance of court appearances.