Bail Jumping: What Are the Consequences of Skipping Bail?

If you get arrested on criminal charges, you qualify for bail based on the extent of your crime. However, even after you attend the bail hearing and post bail, you must still show up for subsequent court hearings.

Failure to appear in a court of law as per the original bail agreement without a reasonable alibi carries harsh consequences under federal and state law. Read on to find out some of the dire consequences of jumping bail.

Bail Money Loss

You will lose the entire sum you originally posted as bail as the first consequence when you skip bail hearing. Bail agreements come with stringent conditions that you must oblige as the defendant to receive the full bail amount — minus a few fee charges — after the hearings.

If you decide to skip one of the court sessions without a valid reason, the court considers this a violation of the initial bail agreement and scraps off the entire bail. This development means you won't receive a single dime even if declared innocent of all charges.

Arrest Warrant Issuance

If the court mentions your name during a court date without response, the judge takes certain steps before they issue an arrest warrant. First, the judge will want to know if there is a good enough reason for your absence.

The judge may set another bail hearing date if the prosecution can prove that you intentionally missed the court date. If you fail to appear for subsequent court dates, the judge will notify local and regional enforcement and issue a warrant for your arrest.

Future Bail Denial

A bail hearing is a constitutional right, but the guarantee of bail isn't. Courts have the final say in bail hearings and can deny or accept bail. Their decision to deny or accept your request for bail depends on the defendant's risk status. 

If you act against your initial bail agreement, you break the government's trust, and the court issues a warrant for your arrest. This provision makes you a public fugitive, and the police begin a manhunt for you.

When law enforcement finally catches up, you will be jailed with no bail option. The repercussion of jumping bail could even affect your chances to get bail on future charges.

Additions to Existing Charges

The worst that could happen when you miss a court date is that you might add to your initial charges. Courts reserve the right to issue extra punishment on top of the one you'll receive for your prior crime.

The extent of this punishment usually depends on the crime committed. More severe offenders get heavier sentences than small-time misdemeanors. For example, if you're on trial for a felony charge and skip bail, the law might consider your charge a third-degree felony, which carries a maximum of five years jail time or a $5000 fine or both.

Bail Bondsman Debts

At times, the amount in bail the court requests might go beyond your financial means. This development forces you to look for alternative financial sources. Bail bonds companies are always open to post bail on the defendants' behalf, provided you work per the bail agreement.

If you decide to skip bail, the court will notify the bail bondsman of your inability to cooperate with the law and take the entire bail amount. However, the bail bondsman will still charge you the total amount they paid for your release plus the initial fee you paid to acquire the bail bond.

It's never a good idea to skip bail because the outcome affects all the parties involved. You might face the above consequences if you skip a bail hearing after you post bail. If you're ever arrested and require financial assistance with your bail, contact us, and we'll post bail on your behalf.