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A bail bond is a blessing for arrested individuals. After all, it’s the difference between spending your pre-trial time at home or behind a jail cell. However, while the vast majority of people are eligible for bail, it’s important to remember that there will likely be conditions attached to the release.
Most people understand that they’ll need to pay the bail amount — or have a bail agent do so on their behalf — in order to be released, but that’s not the only requirement. Depending on your circumstances, there will be a list of rules you must follow in order to be complicit with the bail bond agreement.
Failure to do so may mean you’re in violation of your bail bond. But what does violation of bail bond mean? And what happens if you break a bail bond? We’ll answer those questions and more below.
Understanding Bail Bond Violations
Many people believe that once they’ve posted bail, they’re allowed to return to their old life. However, that’s not strictly true. There are always conditions that the individual must adhere to. At the most basic, you’ll need to show up to any future court appearances. If you don’t, you’ll be in violation of your bail bond, and an arrest warrant will likely be issued in your name.
There are also rules relating to what you can and cannot do in the period before your court appearance. What these rules are exactly will depend on the crime you have committed. For example, if you were arrested on a reckless driving charge, then you may be required to attend a driving course. Some bail conditions require that the individual have no contact with certain individuals.
It doesn’t matter what the conditions are. You have to follow them. If you don’t, you’ll be deemed to be in violation of the bail bond and may face serious consequences.
Consequences of Violating Bail Bonds
Courts don’t take bail bond violations lightly. After all, courts release arrested individuals with a degree of trust that they will follow all the requirements laid out in the bail agreement. If they don’t, then they won’t hesitate to take action. Some of the common consequences of violating bail bonds include:
Back to Jail
If you’ve broken the terms of your bail bond, then the police may re-arrest you and take you back to jail.
Bail Amount Increases
You may be granted bail once you’re taken back to jail. However, the bail amount will likely be significantly higher than in the first instance.
Criminal Charges
You may be subject to additional charges if the courts believe your bail bond violation constitutes a crime. For example, if a person is told to stay away from another individual yet makes contact, they may be charged with witness intimidation.
Release Conditions Will Be Stricter
The courts will likely impose stricter release conditions the second time around. For example, you may only be released on bail if you wear an electronic tag that shows your location at all times.
Denying Bail
Failure to adhere to bail conditions will make it more difficult to get bail in the future. If you are granted bail, it will likely be at an increased amount.
Bail Money and Violations: What Happens Next?
So, what happens to bail money if person violates conditions of bond? The answer is that it depends on the level of violation. If it’s a low-level violation, then nothing may happen. If it’s a serious violation of the conditions of the bond, then the courts may refuse to give the money back.
That means that you may be left out of pocket. If you’ve worked with a bail bond agent, then they will try to recover the money. Sometimes we’re asked ‘what does it mean when it says violation of bail bond family member’ — often, that means that the agent is pursuing the lost money via the co-signer or through the collateral that was put up during the initial agreement. Given that bail bonds can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, that may have serious financial implications.
Dealing with a Violation of Bail Bonds
Sometimes, people violate a bail bond by accident. If you suspect that you may have violated your bail bond, then it’s best to take steps as soon as possible. Talking to your bail bond agent or lawyer is a good idea since they’ll be an invaluable source of advice. In some cases, courts will look kindly on violations if they were honest mistakes or if they were caused by external factors (for example, a natural disaster or a car accident).
Whether it’s you or a loved one who has violated the bail bond, it’s best to take action as soon as possible. The sooner the issue is handled, the less likely it is that there will be serious consequences.
Breaking a Bail Bond: What You Need to Know
Bail bonds are given under specific conditions, and they can be withdrawn if those conditions are not adhered to. Ultimately, the best way to avoid any complications is to understand and follow all the requirements of your bail bond release. If you violate the bond either intentionally or by accident, then there may be consequences. Get in touch with your bail bond agent as soon as possible to minimize the risk.
Reporting Bail Bond Violations: Steps to Take
It can be disconcerting to realize that you may have broken one of the conditions of your bail bond. If you have, then contact your bail bond agent or attorney. They’ll know what to do next. Don’t assume that the issue will go away on its own; the courts don’t forget!
If it’s not you but a loved one out on bail, then you’ll need to know what to do if someone violates bail bonds. It’s usually best to speak to them directly if possible and ask them to get in touch with their agent. If that’s not possible, then contact the agent directly, who will be able to get in touch with the individual.
