The term “skipping bail” means not showing up for your court date after you’ve been arrested, charged, and released on bail. In the eyes of the law, there is no acceptable excuse for missing your appointed court date and time. The judge will not find reasons such as transportation problems, illness, work, other appointments, or forgetting to be valid. What happens next if you skip bail?
- A warrant for your arrest will be immediately issued.
- Additional charges will be added to your existing charges.
- Police will be given full authority to search your home, your car, or anywhere you might be.
- You will not be granted bail again and must remain in jail until your trial, usually for weeks or months.
Failing to appear at your appointed court date can cause serious problems for the family members or friends who posted bail for you at your original arrest. Since the bail bondsman will have to pay the court the full amount of your bail, the collateral (car, house) or bank accounts used to secure your bail may be seized. Bail bondsmen or bounty hunters may call your family and friends, or even appear at their homes, in an effort to find you. This is sure to be a very unsettling experience for your loved ones.
If you are a family member or friend of someone who has been released on bail, and you suspect that person will skip bail, there are some things you should do to protect yourself. First and foremost, do not harbor that person in your home or other property. Doing so is a crime and you may be arrested and charged with harboring a fugitive. Second, talk to your bail bondsman. Not only does your bail bondsman need to know the status of the individual they’ve issued bond for, they also need to know that you are not cooperating with the person skipping bail.
Everything considered, missing your court date and skipping bail will only multiply your problems. If you have any questions regarding your court date or the conditions of your bail bond, ask the experts at ACE Bail Bonding. Give us a call 919-337-2862!
*This article is not intended to replace counsel from a licensed attorney in your area.
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