Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

If someone skips a bond, meaning they fail to appear in court after being released on bail, the court considers it a bond forfeiture. This means the entire bail amount is lost, and the defendant’s release agreement is revoked. Skipping bond is a serious violation that can lead to new criminal charges, arrest warrants, and loss of any money or property used as collateral. It also places legal and financial responsibility on anyone who helped post the bond.

Immediate Consequences of Skipping Bond

When a defendant misses a court date, the judge issues a bench warrant for their arrest. This allows law enforcement or a bail bondsman to take the person back into custody. The court also starts the process of forfeiting the bond, which means any money or collateral posted for bail may be permanently lost.

• Arrest warrant issued – The defendant can be arrested anywhere, anytime.
• Bond forfeiture – The court keeps the bail money or orders payment of the full bond amount.
• Loss of collateral – If property was used to secure the bond, it can be seized or sold to pay the forfeited amount.
• Additional charges – The defendant can face new charges for failure to appear, adding more jail time or fines.

What Happens to the Bail Bondsman

If a bail bondsman posted the bond, they are financially responsible for the full bail amount when the defendant skips. To avoid paying it, they are allowed to locate and return the defendant to custody. This process often involves hiring recovery agents, commonly known as bounty hunters.

• The bondsman has a limited time to find and surrender the defendant.
• If successful, the court may reinstate or cancel the forfeiture.
• If unsuccessful, the bondsman must pay the full bond amount to the court.
• The person who signed the bond agreement (the indemnitor) may also be liable for the costs.

For Family or Friends Who Posted Bond

If a friend or family member helped post bond, they risk losing any money or property pledged as collateral. Even if they used a bail bondsman, they may still be held responsible for additional expenses incurred during the recovery process.

• The court or bondsman can collect money or seize property to recover the debt.
• Legal and collection actions may be filed against the co-signer.
• Future bond eligibility for the defendant may be denied or restricted.

Legal Consequences for the Defendant

Skipping bond does more than forfeit money it damages the defendant’s legal standing and makes future release much harder. Courts treat failure to appear as a sign of unreliability and may impose stricter conditions or deny bail in the future.

• A new charge of failure to appear may be filed, carrying additional jail time and fines.
• The defendant may lose eligibility for future bond release.
• The original case may be delayed, making penalties worse after re-arrest.

How to Fix a Bond Forfeiture

If a person missed court by mistake or due to an emergency, they may be able to file a motion to set aside bond forfeiture. The court can restore the bond if the person returns to court quickly and provides a valid reason for the absence.

• Act immediately after missing court to contact your attorney or the court clerk.
• Provide documentation for medical, travel, or emergency reasons.
• The judge decides whether to reinstate or permanently forfeit the bond.

Skipping bond is a serious offense that results in an arrest warrant, bond forfeiture, and potential new criminal charges. The bondsman, co-signer, and defendant all face financial losses, and future chances for release on bond become extremely limited.