Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

If you don’t show up for court after posting bail through a bail bondsman, serious legal and financial consequences follow. The bondsman is responsible for ensuring you appear in court, and if you fail to do so, they must take action to recover the money they guaranteed on your behalf. This process is known as bond forfeiture, and it can lead to arrest, loss of money, and additional charges.

Immediate Consequences Of Missing Court

• The court issues a bench warrant for your arrest as soon as you miss a scheduled hearing.
• The bond is considered forfeited, meaning the full bail amount becomes due to the court.
• The bail bondsman must pay the entire bail if you are not located or returned within a set time, usually 30 to 90 days.

What The Bail Bondsman Does Next

• Contact you or your co-signer – The bondsman will immediately try to reach you or anyone who co-signed the bond to encourage you to surrender voluntarily.
• Hire a bounty hunter – If you do not return, the bondsman may hire a bail enforcement agent or bounty hunter to locate and return you to custody. These agents are legally authorized to arrest you and bring you back to jail.
• Seek reimbursement – If the bond is forfeited, the bondsman can collect payment or seize collateral (like a car or property) from you or your co-signer to cover the bond amount.
• Notify the court – Once you are back in custody, the bondsman will inform the court so they can request that the bond be reinstated or the forfeiture canceled.

What You Can Do If You Miss Court

• Contact your attorney and bondsman right away. Many courts allow a short grace period for you to appear voluntarily and explain the reason for missing court.
• If the court accepts your explanation, the warrant may be withdrawn, and your bond can be reinstated.
• Ignoring the situation only makes it worse and increases your chances of re-arrest and bond loss.

Impact On Your Bond Agreement

• Your co-signer becomes financially responsible for the full bail amount if you fail to appear.
• The bondsman can revoke your bond and refuse to post bail for you in the future.
• Missing court can also lead to new criminal charges for failure to appear, which are separate from your original case.

If you don’t show up for court, the bondsman must pay your bail and will take steps to find and return you to jail. They may contact you, seize collateral, or hire a bounty hunter. It’s best to contact your attorney or bondsman immediately to resolve the issue before your bond is forfeited or new charges are filed.