Bailing Someone Out Of Jail? Know What Happens If They Skip Bond
Have you been asked to help get someone out of jail early by getting a bail bond as a cosigner? If so, you may be wondering what happens if they decide to skip bond. Here is an overview of what to expect.
Know What It Means To Skip Bond
When someone is released from jail on bond, this means that a judge has requested that a certain amount of money is provided to the court in exchange for a person's early release. If that person does not return to court for their hearing, then they will have officially skipped bond. It is likely that a warrant will go out for the person's arrest, and there is a possibility that the bail money can be lost.
Know That The Bondsman Is Notified
If you used a bail bond to get the money that you need, then the bondsman will be notified that the person skipped bond. The bondsman will be given an opportunity to return the person to jail within a certain amount of time, and if not, the bail money would be lost. This may involve contacting the cosigner that requested the bail bond and having them help return the person to jail, or using a bounty hunter to track down the person.
Once the person has been returned to jail, the bondman has the right to request that they are released from the bond. This means that the bail bondsman has the opportunity to get their money back and keep the person in jail. If someone did not return to court as they were supposed to, chances are that they may do it again. The bondsman doesn't want to risk losing their money and will want it back.
Know That The Cosigner Could Face Consequences
If the bondsman was not able to return the person to jail in time, then the cosigner could face consequences for their actions. If collateral was used to secure the bail bond, then that collateral may be lost and the cosigner will be responsible for the full cost of the bond. If the person was returned to jail in time by use of a bounty hunter, there may be additional fees that must be paid for the expense that the bondman incurred.
Not sure what other consequences you may face as a cosigner for a bail bond? Make sure to ask the bail bondsman before you decide to move forward with getting a bail bond. Look into 24 hour bail bonds for more information.