For those who have been arrested for a felony or serious misdemeanor charge, bail can really be a blessing; in working with a Riverside bail bonds service, you can get out of jail and go home to be with your family until the day of your scheduled court appearance. But what happens if you pay the bail and then don’t show up in court? Is there a penalty if you miss out on your scheduled appearance?
This is what’s known as bail jumping—and as you might imagine, it comes with some consequences. Here are some brief guidelines about bail jumping, from the experts at our own bail bond company. If you just want the bottom line, though, it’s this: Bail jumping is a bad idea, and we do not recommend it!
Bail Jumping FAQ:
What is bail jumping, exactly?
Simply put, bail jumping is when an individual posts bail but then doesn’t appear in court at the appropriate time.
Is bail jumping a crime?
In the State of California, bail jumping is absolutely a crime. In fact, it is a separate crime from the one originally charged, so it only compounds the individual’s sentence.
What are the consequences of bail jumping?
There are a number of potential penalties for bail jumping, under both federal and state law. According to our bonding service company, the most likely penalties are these:
- The money you paid for bail (usually 10 percent of the total amount, if you work with a Riverside bail bond company) is forfeited.
- You continue to face those original criminal charges.
- You may have additional charges added, meaning your sentence could be more severe.
A couple of other notes: One is that, if you skip out on bail, your bail bond company may send a bounty hunter after you—never a good thing! Also, note that skipping out on bail never causes judges to look more favorably on you. Again, you’re hurting your own case.
Will bail jumping mean more time in prison?
It’s impossible to say for sure, as it can vary case by case, but there is certainly a real chance that bail jumping will lead to more time behind bars. In fact, some jurisdictions will require 30 days or more be added to whatever other sentencing you get, just for skipping out on bail.
Take Bail Seriously
Bail exists to help you—but it can also come back to bite you if you don’t use it properly. The worst thing you can do, in this regard, is to fail to show up for your scheduled court appearance.
At Remedy Bail Bonds, we’re here to help individuals be with their families up until that scheduled court date. We’re on your side, and that’s why we offer these strong cautions. To learn more about the bail process, or to ask a specific question about bail jumping, reach out to our 24 bail bonds company today. Remedy is always here for you!
