When you get arrested, you can often be released until your hearing by paying bail. However, this does not mean you can do whatever you want. You can make many mistakes that may revoke your bail and send you to jail. If you want to protect yourself while on bail, make sure to avoid these three actions.
1. Breaking the Law
Absolutely avoid breaking the law in any way shape or form so you won’t be arrested again. Bail is a system of trust. The courts trust that you will behave and follow rules while you are out on bail. Therefore, if you get arrested again, this can prove you can’t be trusted. As such, your bail may be revoked.
If your bail is revoked, you will likely have to spend the time until your hearing in jail. In some cases, the court may give you a second chance, depending on the seriousness of the original and second crime. However, expect an increase in the amount of bail you have to pay. If you are out on bail for a felony, committing a crime while on bail could add two years to your sentence.
If, like many, you used a bail bonds company to obtain a loan for the bail, and the bail is revoked or increased, you may lose this money. If this happens, you are still responsible for paying back the entire portion of the loan plus the interest.
2. Leaving the State or Country
Leaving the state or country is not always prohibited, but leaving without telling anyone is not a good idea. Bail bond agents get back the money they loaned you after you have attended your hearing and been sentenced or cleared. Therefore, they will be very interested if you plan to or accidentally skip your hearing. They may take leaving the country or state as a sign you are fleeing.
Therefore, before you leave, make sure to talk to your bail bond agent. Explain where you are going, as well as why and how long you will be there, so they know when to expect you back. Knowing why you left will make them feel a lot more comfortable and prevent them from sending a bounty hunter to find you.
Do not just check with your bail bonds agent. Also, check the rules of your bail. In some cases, you may break your bail if you leave the state or country. If your bail does allow you to leave, also inform the courts, especially if you leave for a long period of time or go far away.
3. Skipping Your Court Appointments
While on bail, you will be required to attend every court appointment regarding the crime. If you do not, your bail is revoked, and you will likely be tossed back in jail. The hearing will be rescheduled, and you will have to stay in jail until then.
If you took out a bail loan and skip your court appointments, you will also likely upset the bail bond agent because you forfeited their money. They will likely collect the owed amount and/or take you back to jail so they can get reimbursed by the court.
Bail is helpful because it allows people to stay in the comfort of their own home until their hearing. However, you can make a lot of mistakes that can cost you a lot of money and make you serve jail time. If you would like to know more about bail bonds, contact us at Affordable Bail Bonds today. We are here to answer your questions and address any concerns you have.
