Being charged with a crime is scary. Often, people have the desire to run - to escape the charges they are facing and try to start a new life elsewhere. People often look at their situation and think: I’m out on bail. I’m facing criminal charges I’m scared to face. I don’t know the outcome. I think I’ll leave town, and not show up in court. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? Well, there is a lot that can happen. Leaving town and missing court dates is called “skipping bail.” And, it can have very bad consequences. Here’s why:
1. Bad for the Co-Signer of the Bail Bond
When a person gets out of jail using a bail bond, it means that someone has co-signed the bond agreement with a bail agent. Co-signers have many responsibilities. One of them is to ensure the defendant appears at all court dates. If the defendant skips bail, there are bad consequences for the co-signer. They could be held liable to pay the full bail amount to the court, and they could lose any collateral they used to obtain the bond (this could be a car, home, jewelry, or other valuable property).
2. Bad for the Defendant
When a defendant skips bail, there are many consequences. The court will issue a bench warrant for their arrest, and the bail bond will be null and void. Their bail will be revoked, and law enforcement will be on the lookout to arrest them. Additionally, because bail agents and the co-signer of the bond are financially responsible for the full bail amount, they may hire a bounty hunter to find the defendant and return them to face justice. Bounty hunters operate under different rules, and can dedicate much more time to finding the defendant. Thus, the defendant will have to try much hard to not be caught. Once the defendant has been caught, they will face additional escape charges, which will harshen their sentence.
Skipping Bail is Bad for Everyone
Skipping bail is bad for everyone - the defendant, the co-signer, the bail bondsman, and the court. Because of this, it is important that you show up for all court dates and appearances after you have gotten out on bail.
1. Bad for the Co-Signer of the Bail Bond
When a person gets out of jail using a bail bond, it means that someone has co-signed the bond agreement with a bail agent. Co-signers have many responsibilities. One of them is to ensure the defendant appears at all court dates. If the defendant skips bail, there are bad consequences for the co-signer. They could be held liable to pay the full bail amount to the court, and they could lose any collateral they used to obtain the bond (this could be a car, home, jewelry, or other valuable property).
2. Bad for the Defendant
When a defendant skips bail, there are many consequences. The court will issue a bench warrant for their arrest, and the bail bond will be null and void. Their bail will be revoked, and law enforcement will be on the lookout to arrest them. Additionally, because bail agents and the co-signer of the bond are financially responsible for the full bail amount, they may hire a bounty hunter to find the defendant and return them to face justice. Bounty hunters operate under different rules, and can dedicate much more time to finding the defendant. Thus, the defendant will have to try much hard to not be caught. Once the defendant has been caught, they will face additional escape charges, which will harshen their sentence.
Skipping Bail is Bad for Everyone
Skipping bail is bad for everyone - the defendant, the co-signer, the bail bondsman, and the court. Because of this, it is important that you show up for all court dates and appearances after you have gotten out on bail.