What Happens When You Skip Out On Bail

The legal and financial consequences of skipping out on bail can be dire, affecting not only you but your loved ones, as they will often be the ones left picking up the tab in your absence.

If you’ve secured a bail bond in California but you’re considering skipping your court appearance, here is what you can expect as a result:

You’ll Forfeit the Bail Amount

If you play by the rules and obey court instructions from the moment of arrest to conviction or acquittal, you’ll be refunded the bail amount in full. No fuss, no foul. However, if you decide to skip town instead, you’ll forfeit the whole amount.

If you took out a bail bond after getting arrested and then skipped out on court, the bondsman will then pursue you to seek repayment. If you had collateral attached to the bail bond, it would be forfeited to the bail bondman. If you had a co-signer stand surety for your bail bond, they would then become personally liable for the amount owed.

This can cause substantial financial difficulty for your loved ones who cosigned, as their personal property can be pursued for the settlement of the loan.

You’ll Face Additional Legal Charges

Failing to show up in court when faced with criminal charges is considered a serious offense, leading to additional charges being placed against your name. When you are finally brought before a judge, you will end up facing additional penalties for not showing up in court originally.

The severity of additional penalties brought against you will depend on the severity of the original charge. Persons accused of serious felonies, such as murder, will face much harsher penalties than those accused of misdemeanors, such as driving under the influence.

Penalties for failure to show up in court could range from hefty fines to additional jail time. Also, the legal process will be more complicated.

Failure to show up in court can also have an impact on how you are perceived in future cases. Should you end up in court again, your record would indicate that you’re a flight risk, which would lead to higher bail and difficulty in securing bail bonds without significant collateral.

If you’re looking for the best bail in California, ABC Bail Bonds is here to help. Contact us now to find out more about how we can help you secure your freedom!