How do I know when the defendant has to go to court?

It is your responsibility to know when the defendant has to go to court. Typically, the courts will notify the bail agent when the accused is to appear.

Can the defendant leave the state or country while out on bond?

To avoid arrest, a defendant may leave the state or country if he/she receives written permission from his/her bail agent and (if necessary) the court before attempting to do so.

What happens if a defendant fails to appear in court?

If a defendant fails to appear in court, the court issues a bench warrant for their arrest and they are considered a fugitive. The bail agent will then search for, and when found, arrest the individual.

If I’m a co-signer for a friend or family member and that person misses court do I have to pay you the full value of the bond?

Short answer: Yes. You are liable for the full amount of the bond plus expenses if your friend or family member misses their court appearance. However, if you notify your bond agent of any unusual circumstances, they can advise you on your best course of action.

What if the defendant gets re-arrested while out on bond?

Once the defendant is back in custody the bond can be surrendered and your liability will be terminated. There are a few problems here: if you decided to surrender the bond you will lose the premium that was paid, and if you decided to get the defendant out on bond again, you will now have to post two new bonds and pay the premium on both bonds again.

Do I get my money back after the case is over?

You do not usually get the premium back that you paid to the bonding office, but there are a few exceptions. This fee is what allowed the defendant to get out of jail and is fully earned once the defendant is out of custody. For example if the defendant gets rearrested a week later you get no portion nor a refund of any money. In some cases, bail money may be returned at the end of the trial, if all court appearances are made, regardless of whether the person is found guilty or not guilty of the accused crime.

Is the bail bond fee refundable?

No. Once a bail bond has been posted for the accused the money is then earned by the bail bond company.

If you have any questions about bail bonds or the bonding process please give us a call today!