What happens if a bond is not paid?
Asked by: Isobel Kertzmann | Last update: February 15, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (45 votes)
If you don't pay back a bond, you could face serious problems. This can harm both the defendant and any cosigners. Not paying your bond can lead to legal trouble, fines, and even getting arrested again. It's important to understand your bond repayment duties to avoid these issues.
What happens if a bond does not get paid?
Bond forfeiture can result in civil judgments that damage credit ratings further and lead to garnished wages or property liens, making it essential that those missing payments understand all their ramifications before any issues escalate. Bond forfeiture can have serious repercussions, including arrest.
How does bond work in Colorado?
About Bonds
A bond is a formal written agreement where a person agrees to do something (such as appear in court) or stop doing something (such as committing a crime). If the person doesn't comply with the agreement, he/she (or a "surety", also called a "bondsman") then forfeits the money paid for the bond.
What happens if you pay someone's bond and they don't go to court?
In California, a bail bondsman typically has six months to find and return the defendant. If the defendant is not found in the timeframe, you will be responsible for paying not only the full amount of the bond, but also any additional expenses and any unpaid premiums.
What is the longest someone can be out on bail?
There is no universal maximum number of days or months that bail automatically lasts. Bail is a pretrial status, so it continues until the court ends it. That can be quick in simple cases, or it can stretch out over a long time in serious or complicated cases.
Invest or Pay Off Your Loan? The F² Rule
What's the longest someone can be out on bail?
The police can keep you on bail for a limited amount of time. Initially, pre-charge bail is set at 3 months. It can be extended in 3 month increments up to a maximum of 12 months from your initial bail date. In total, your bail can be extended 3 times.
What happens if you can't afford your bond?
Consequences of Missing Bail Bond Payments
This can come in several forms, including filing a civil lawsuit for the outstanding balance. Bail bond agencies have the legal right to recover what is owed, which can involve garnishing wages, placing liens on assets, or taking other legal measures to collect the debt.
What is the 72 hour rule in jail?
Release from Jail After an Arrest in California
Note that, generally, the prosecution will only have 48 hours to hold you in jail before they must file charges or release you. However, if you are arrested on the weekend, the prosecution has up to 72 hours to file charges.
What to do if you can't pay your bond?
You have options available to you if you can't repay your bond. Your bank may be willing to grant you an extension on the loan, or even a period of reprieve during which you don't need to make repayments. Act quickly, and be open and honest when negotiating with your bank.
How to get off someone's bond?
Contact the Bail Bond Company: Inform the bail bond company of your intention to remove your name from the bond. They will provide you with the necessary steps and paperwork required for the process. Notify the Court: In some cases, you may need to file a motion with the court to remove your name from the bail bond.
Can you bond yourself out of jail in Colorado?
If you're granted pretrial release, you will be asked to either sign an agreement to return to court (personal recognizance bond) or post bail to secure your release from jail while you're awaiting the next steps in your criminal proceedings. Bail can be provided in the form of cash, a bond or personal property.
How much do you have to pay if your bond is $1000?
The cost of a bail bond is typically 10% of the total bail amount, and this percentage is regulated by the California Department of Insurance.
Do you have to pay 100% of a bond?
Bail is paid out of the defendant's own pocket, while bonds are paid by a bail bond company. Bail requires defendants to pay the full amount upfront, while bonds only require defendants to pay 10-20% of the set bail amount.
What happens when you fail to pay a bond?
A bank will start legal proceedings against you for missing your bond repayments usually after 3 or more months of missed payments.
Can you make payments on a bond?
Many bail bonds companies these days offer other Bail Bonds Payment Plans options. such as wire transfer of funds, checks, credit cards, money order, etc. Most reputable bail bonds companies also provide their clients with a more convenient manner of paying off the bail bond fee through their in-house bail loan program ...
What happens when a bond is not paid?
Not paying a bond has serious legal effects. Courts can declare the bond forfeited, making the full amount due right away. This can lead to arrest warrants for the defendant. Bail bond companies can also sue to get their money back.
What's the worst a debt collector can do?
DEBT COLLECTORS CANNOT:
- contact you at unreasonable places or times (such as before 8:00 AM or after 9:00 PM local time);
- use or threaten to use violence or criminal means to harm you, your reputation or your property;
- use obscene or profane language;
What is the 7 7 7 rule for collections?
No More Than Seven Times in a Seven-Day Period
Under the 7-in-7 Rule, debt collectors are restricted to contacting a consumer no more than seven times within any seven days. This rule applies to all communication methods, whether phone calls, emails, text messages, or other forms of contact.
How much is $20 worth in jail?
With $20 per month, the prisoner could at least purchase soap, quality toothpaste (and a quality toothbrush), and batteries for their radio. Even a single check for $15 could allow a prisoner to purchase a few comforts which would traditionally be outside of their reach.
What is the shortest time spent in jail?
The One Minute Jail Sentence. SHORTEST SENTENCE EVER PASSED GIVEN TO JOE INCARCERATION. JUDGE FRATER THINKS HE SHOULD GO TO JAIL BUT NOT STAY THERE. RESULT OF SIX MONTHS' LITIGATION IS ONE MINUTE'S INCARCERATION.
What is rule 21 in jail?
Upon the defendant's motion, the court must transfer the proceeding against that defendant to another district if the court is satisfied that so great a prejudice against the defendant exists in the transferring district that the defendant cannot obtain a fair and impartial trial there.
Can a bond be revoked for non-payment?
Bondsmen can revoke a bond for many reasons, including not paying. If a bond is revoked, the consequences are serious. The defendant might be arrested right away and go back to jail. Cosigners could owe the full bail amount.
Are bail and bond the same thing?
While bail is paid directly to the court, a bond involves working with a third party, typically a bail bondsman, to secure the defendant's release. A bond is needed when the total bail amount is too much for the defendant or their family to afford.