Bond

Alleged offenders may be released on bail until their appointed court date. Bail is money which is paid as insurance to guarantee that the accused will reappear for their trial. Families who do not have sufficient funds to pay bail, however, may get a loan from a bail bond company. This loan is referred to as a bond.

The bond, which is generally secured with collateral, allows the bail bond company to pay a portion of the bail for the accused, with the understanding that the full amount of bail will be paid if the accused decides not to show up for their trial. If the accused offender does not appear at their hearing, not only is the collateral forfeited by the accused or their family, but the bond company is likely to send a bounty hunter after the accused.

Can everyone pay a bond?

Whether or not an accused offender will be released on bond depends on the court and the decision made by the judge. Judges generally will release low level offenders out on bail or bond. Under certain conditions, however, if they want a person to remain in jail, they may decide to intentionally set the bail so high that getting enough money to get out on bail or bond is impossible. Alleged offenders who cannot pay bond will have to remain in jail until the date of their trial.

Can bond be revoked?

Like bail, there are certain requirements which must be met while the alleged offender is out on bond. If the alleged offender does not meet certain requirements, the bail bond company or the court may revoke the bond.

For example, if the defendant commits another crime, if they refuse to appear in court, if they flee the jurisdiction, if they do anything that the prosecution believes will impede their case, or if the bond company believes that their bond may be in jeopardy, bond can be revoked.

If you have signed a contract with a bail bond company to provide a bond for you, the terms and conditions for the bond should be clearly stated in the contractual agreement. The court will also outline specific requirements which must be met while you remain out on bond.

If bond is revoked, it is generally not reinstated. In fact, if bond is revoked most defendants will be immediately sent to jail to await their trial.

If you have questions about your bond you should contact a criminal defense lawyer.