Those who fail to appear in court forfeit the funds their family posted on their behalf. When this happens, you could be on the hook for the total bail amount (plus applicable fees) if your loved one skips town after being released. That means you risk losing a considerable amount of money or whatever property you put up as collateral for the bond. Thankfully, there is a statutory period during which you can find the suspect and return him or her to court before the bail is forfeited. As such, you will have time to take the following steps. 

3 Steps to Take If Your Loved One Fails to Appear

1. Call a Bail Enforcement Agent

If you don’t think you’ll be able to locate the suspect before the deadline for forfeiting the bail has passed, you can hire a bounty hunter to help. These professionals have all kinds of strategies for finding those who have skipped bail. The bondsman whom you worked with can refer you to a licensed and trained bounty hunter who has a track record of success. While this can be expensive, it is usually significantly less than the cost of losing the entirety of the money you paid to post bail.

2. Consider Why Your Loved One Failed to Appear 

If your loved one struggles with substance abuse, he or she may have forgotten about the court date. In such a scenario, returning the suspect to court may be relatively easy. If, on the other hand, he or she disappeared, consider everything you know about the situation to determine what might’ve happened. Any information you provide the bail enforcement agent could ultimately help recover the suspect. In these moments, you need to think of your interest and investment in the case more than the fear of harming your loved one that placed you in the situation.

3. Consult With an Attorney

Sometimes, the best way to get through to someone who skipped bail is by explaining the legal consequences of continuing down the path they're on. After evaluating the situation, a criminal defense attorney can discuss exactly what's at stake. For example, a conviction for failure to appear in the first degree comes with a possible prison sentence of five years and a fine of up to $5,000. If the person sees that these consequences are serious, they may be more likely to turn themselves in and appear in court. An attorney can explain that the cost of skipping bail and remaining on the run is higher the longer that the person attempts to stay out of court.

If your loved one is behind bars and you’ve decided to post bail for them is a safe bet, turn to 3-D Bail Bonds. Based in Hartford and serving the entire state of Connecticut, we’re proud to help families get their relatives out of jail as quickly as possible. Our network of experienced guarantors are available 24/7 and will help you navigate every stage of the bail process. To find the agent nearest you, check out our website or call (860) 247-2245.