In the criminal justice system, bail bonds are an important element. For defendants who are awaiting trial, they allow them the opportunity to prepare for their court date, spend time with their loved ones, and have some normal time to carry on with their lives. If a defendant skips bail, however, there are real consequences.
What Does it Mean to Skip Bail?
When a defendant does not show up in court as they are required to do, they have skipped bail. When a defendant gets bail bond from a bail bonds company, they are making an agreement. The bail bonds company pays the entire bail in exchange for the defendant paying a percentage and reassuring the bail bonds company they will appear in court. If the defendant does not show up, they have broken the agreement.
What Are the Consequences?
In the event that the defendant doesn’t show up to court, a warrant is issued for their arrest. The bail bondsman will then take steps to find the defendant. Because they will be responsible for the full amount, it becomes financially important for them to locate the defendant and bring them back to court.
The defendant will then most likely have additional charges and fees for skipping bail. This could also result in heavier fines overall and a lengthier jail sentence. It’s a serious offense for a defendant to skip bail, and it may result in the revocation of the offer of a plea deal.
The defendant may also face the potential loss of collateral. Collateral is property or money that has been put up to secure bail. The bail bonds company has the ability to seize the collateral to help pay the full amount for the bail.
How Skipping Bail Can Affect Loved Ones
If a defendant skips bail, it will also affect their loved ones. The bail bonds company may reach out to the defendant’s family and friends to help locate the defendant. The loved ones of the defendants may be held responsible as well. If a loved one helped the defendant to flee, they may even face fines and criminal charges. There is also an emotional impact on loved ones when a defendant skips bail. They may feel some guilt in not being able to convince the defendant to show up to court,
Overall, it’s important to remember that it’s just not worth the risk to skip bail. It could have a much more significant impact on you and your loved ones than the original charges. It’s a much better approach to honor obligations and responsibilities to the court and to the bail bonds company.
