It can be as much of a challenge to negotiate the legal system like a second language. A common word that you will hear is bail bond. A bail bond allows an accused person to be out of jail awaiting trial. However, what happens when your case is taking longer than you thought? Or what shall happen should you violate the laws of court? This is where the bail bond renewals and revocations come. The knowledge of these two processes is your saving grace in keeping up with the process and preventing unpleasant surprises. In this guide, we will deconstruct the meaning of bail bond renewals and bail bond revocations, how these two concepts work, and what you can do to secure your liberty or the peaceful mind of your loved one.
What Is a Bail Bond and How Does It Work?
Bail bond is a commitment to the court. In case of any arrest of you or your loved ones, then you might not have sufficient cash to pay the entire bail amount fixed by the judge. A bail bond agent comes in at this point. The agent pays the entire sum with an unreimbursable fee that is typically 10 percent of the bail. The primary objective will be to guarantee that the defendant shows up to all the court proceedings. In case the defendant does not show up, the agent will have to pay the entire bail that may be expensive. That is why a contract is signed by all parties, the defendant, the bail bond company, and usually, by a family member who will be the so-called indemnitor. Everybody is willing to abide by terms set by the court and they all contribute to ensuring that these terms are abided by.
Why Might You Need to Renew a Bail Bond?
Have you ever felt that court cases take too long? You’re not alone. The legal case does not always go as quickly as one can expect. Most of the bail bonds are limited in time to 12 months, therefore, when your case is not closed yet, then a renewal will keep your bond alive.
How Do Bail Bond Renewals Work?
It is not difficult but significant to renew a bail bond. The renewal normally occurs when your initial bonding is expiring. Your bail bond agent will remind you when it is time to renew. To maintain the bail bond, you will pay one more premium, usually the same percentage at the beginning, usually 10 percent of the bail. Failure to notice it can mean the end of your relationship, and the court will be free to grant a warrant to arrest you. The agent will be available to ease you in the renewal process and make it easier and stress free.
Who Covers the Cost of Renewal?
Attention is normally paid to the indemnitor, who is the one who signed and guaranteed the bond, and is paying the renewal premium. Paying in time is also paramount, because failure to do so may be severe such as re-arrest. Keeping in contact with your bail bond agent and following dates helps prevent the defendant and the indemnitor.
What Can Get a Bail Bond Revoked?
An option that makes the defendant lose his/her right to be out of jail is a revoked bail bond. It is not like this occurs spontaneously, it is normally caused by violating the rule of release. But what can break your bond?
Top Reasons for Bond Revocation
The fastest method of getting your bond revoked is by missing a court date since the courts expect you to appear on all occasions. The mere fact of being arrested once more on bail will result in an immediate revocation even when the new charge can be viewed as minor. This leaves your agreement in danger as bond agents will require payments within the stipulated time in order to maintain your bond. It is easy to default on court requirements, including traveling, testing drugs, or no contact request, and then the judge or the bail agent can cancel your bond without any prior notice.
How Does the Revocation Process Work?
In case the bond is revoked, the defendant will be arrested by the court giving a warrant. The bail agents or even bounty hunters are allowed to intervene to find the defendant and hand him back to custody. A new bond is not usually refunded and the value of money or security returned, and as soon as the person is returned to jail the original bond is cancelled. Revokations are no joke, you are better to keep in the know and do all the conditions or you will get into trouble.
Conclusion
It is not necessary to panic about bail bond renewals and revocations when you are informed of the expectations. Posting on bail again opens the bail bond as you wait to have your case heard so long as you pay in time your fees of renewing the bail bond. Non-observation of court agreements or absenteeism of payments may imply that you may lose your liberty. Being in control means being in touch with your bail bond agent and staying on track with responsibilities. Knowing these main ideas, you will be better confident in the way you will deal with whatever will come your way during the bail process.