What happens if I go to jail while on bond?

Asked by: Hipolito Bednar  |  Last update: February 9, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (34 votes)

If you go to jail while on bond, your original bond will likely be revoked, you'll be held in custody until a new hearing, and you could face stricter conditions (like electronic monitoring), a higher bond, loss of your bond money (forfeiture), and potentially new charges for the new offense, leading to a much more serious legal situation. Judges often view a second arrest as a sign you're a flight risk or danger to the public, resulting in detention.

What happens if you get pulled over while on bond?

Consequences of Violating Bond Conditions

If the court determines that you violated your bond conditions, the judge can revoke your bond, resulting in your re-arrest and detention until trial.

Does bond keep you out of jail?

Bail is the money a defendant must pay in order to get out of jail. A bond is posted on a defendant's behalf, usually by a bail bond company, to secure his or her release. Defendants with pending warrants are usually not eligible for bail.

What happens if you can't pay back a bond?

If you can't pay your bail, you stay in jail until your court date, potentially losing your job or home, but if you use a bail bond and miss payments, the bondsman can take legal action to recoup costs, leading to credit damage, lawsuits, asset seizure, or even wage garnishment, while a missed court appearance results in bond revocation and a new arrest warrant. 

What is the 72 hour rule in jail?

The "72-hour rule" in jail generally means law enforcement must bring an arrested person before a judge or file formal charges within 72 hours (excluding weekends/holidays) of arrest, or the person must be released, though this is a guideline, and delays (especially for lab results) can occur. This initial appearance, called a preliminary hearing or arraignment, determines bail and appoints counsel, influencing the case's early direction.
 

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19 related questions found

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.

How long do you stay in jail before court?

The period of investigation and custody after the arrest of a criminal suspect shall not exceed two months. Cases that are complicated and cannot be terminated after the time limit expires may be extended for one month with the approval of the prosecutor's office at the next higher level.

What if I can't pay my bail?

Consequences of Missing Bail Bond Payments

The most immediate concern for missing a payment is that the bail bond company may take legal action against you. This can come in several forms, including filing a civil lawsuit for the outstanding balance.

What happens if you fail to pay a bond?

If you don't pay your bail bond, the bond agreement is breached, leading to the bond being revoked, potentially resulting in your rearrest and return to jail, forfeiture of any collateral, damage to your credit, and the requirement for you or your cosigner to pay the full bond amount to the bondsman, plus potential civil action and additional criminal charges for skipping bail. 

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.

Can you go to jail after a bond?

The simple answer is yes. There are a few different scenarios where someone who has been bailed out can return to jail. If a defendant fails to attend their court date, they also break the conditions of their bail and will need to return to jail.

How to get a person out of jail?

Bail Bond – This is generally the most popular manner used in Los Angeles County to bail someone out of jail. A defendant or his family posts the bail bond, which is the document given to the court by the arrestee's surety (bail bond company) to guarantee that the defendant will attend all required court appearances.

Is it better to pay bail or bond?

It's better to pay bail directly if you have the full amount upfront for a refund, but a bail bond (using a bondsman for a non-refundable fee, usually 10%) is better if you can't afford the full bail, offering quicker release and easier logistics at the cost of that fee. Your best option depends on your finances: cash bail saves money long-term if you appear, while a bond makes immediate release possible for a smaller, non-recoverable cost. 

Does your bond go down when you stay in jail?

Not automatically. However, there are certain circumstances where your bond might be lowered while you're in custody. Below, we break down the factors that could lead to a reduced bond and what you can do if you can't afford bail.

What's the longest someone can be out on bail?

There's no set maximum time for bail; you can be out for weeks, months, or even years, as long as your criminal case is open and you follow all court conditions, like attending all your hearings. The length depends entirely on the court's schedule and case complexity, with more serious felony cases often taking much longer to resolve than misdemeanors.
 

How much do you have to pay if your bond is $1000?

If a bail bond is set at $1,000, you typically pay $100 (10%) to a bail bond agent as a non-refundable fee to secure release, or you can pay the full $1,000 directly to the court as a cash bond, which is usually refunded after the case ends if conditions are met. The choice depends on whether you want a lower upfront cost with a fee (bond agent) or pay the full amount for a potential refund (cash bond). 

What happens if you can't pay to get out of jail?

If you can't pay bail, you will likely remain in jail until your trial. This period of detention can last anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the court's schedule and the specifics of your case.

Does a bond need to be paid back?

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's the worst a debt collector can do?

The worst a debt collector can do involves illegal harassment, threats, and deception, like threatening violence, lying about arrest, pretending to be a government official, or revealing your debt to others; they also cannot call at unreasonable hours (before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.), repeatedly call to annoy you, or misrepresent the debt's amount, but they can sue you for a valid debt and report it to credit bureaus, which is their legal recourse. 

What percent of people cannot afford bail?

Effects of Cash Bail

Approximately 514,000 people are held in jails in the United States on any given day. More than 80% of these people have not been convicted of a crime, and are instead awaiting trial. Of those in jail, more than 60% are there because they cannot afford the amount set for cash bail.

Can you make payments on a bond?

Yes, you can make payments on a bail bond, as most bail bond agents offer payment plans for the premium (the fee you pay them), allowing you to pay in installments rather than all at once, often with a down payment and monthly payments over several months to a year. While you can't usually add more money to a standard investment bond after purchase, you can often pay bail bond fees with credit cards or set up financing. 

How long can you stay in jail without bail?

You can be held without bond for varying times, often 24-48 hours for an initial review, but potentially much longer (days, weeks, or months) for serious charges (like murder, domestic violence), flight risk, parole violations, or if a dangerousness hearing is requested, though laws require charges or a bond hearing within specific periods (like 48 hours in some states before formal charges). The exact duration depends on state law, the severity of the alleged crime, and the judge's discretion, with potential for extended detention pending trial if deemed a danger. 

Is 1 day in jail equal to 2 days?

Sentences to county jail

In other words, for every two days of actual time in custody, four days will have been deemed served, or essentially half-time credit. (§ 4019(f).) The change is made effective for all crimes committed on or after October 1, 2011.

What is the shortest sentence in jail?

The shortest recorded prison sentence is famously one minute, given to Joe Munch in Seattle in 1906 for being drunk and disorderly, a symbolic sentence by a judge to teach a lesson. More recently, Shane Jenkins was sentenced to 50 minutes in the UK in 2019, serving the time writing apology letters. Legally, sentences can be very short (even just 24 hours or less), but the actual "shortest" depends on judicial discretion and the specific case. 

What to do while in jail?

For example, you could:

  1. Take up reading.
  2. Consider academic pursuits.
  3. Exercise regularly.
  4. Practice mindfulness.
  5. Pick up a pen.
  6. Play games.
  7. Participate in group activities.
  8. Watch Films/TV.