In the United States, a person is innocent until proven guilty. This means that even if you have been arrested and are being held on bail, you still have rights. But what happens if you flee from your bail? In this blog post, we will discuss the consequences of fleeing while on bail.
The Agreement You Make When Posting Bail
It’s essential first to understand what you agree to when you initially post bail. When you pay bail, you essentially promise the court that you will show up for your scheduled court appearances. You’re usually limited in where you can travel, how late you can stay out, and other conditions based on the individual charges surrounding your case. If you go against it, especially by fleeing, you break the contract or agreement you made when posting bail.
What Happens If I Flee?
When you decide to go against court orders or skip out on your court appearance, this can cause significant issues for you and any cosigners that may have helped you get out of jail. Here are the most significant issues you’ll run into if you’re decided to flee.
One of the most common consequences for fleeing while on bail is that a warrant will be issued for your arrest. This means that if you are ever caught by law enforcement, you will be immediately taken into custody and brought back to court.
You might be caught by being pulled over while driving, trying to board public transportation where you have to show a photo ID or passport, or even during a routine traffic stop. Regardless, this means your name will always pop up with a warrant associated with it if you flee while on bail.
If you’re found with an active warrant for your arrest, there is a good chance that law enforcement will take you back to jail. Sometimes they’ll do this until the bail amount can be re-posted or paid in full (if required), and other times they may sentence you immediately based on the crime associated with the original charge.
Once you are back in jail, there is a good chance you’ll be stuck here until your court date. This means spending more time behind bars with no end in sight unless the judge sets an early release or bail hearing on your case, which is not likely because you’ve already skipped out. Furthermore, even if bail was set, you’ll likely not be able to pay it unless you have the cash or funds available because most bail bond companies will not work with anyone who has fled while on bail.
If you have a cosigner when posting bail, they are liable for the entire amount if you flee. This is because your original agreement with them was that not only would you show up to court dates and follow all conditions of release after being arrested, but you also guarantee their part in helping post bail.
This means that even though they’ve done nothing wrong, they are now on the hook for the entire bail amount if you choose to run. Being liable for the bail amount can quickly turn into a financial nightmare for them, especially if their credit is tied to the bond since it’s not possible to get out of paying the total amount.
If you’re on the run and decide to hide out, there’s a good chance that bounty hunters will come looking for you. This is because when you flee while on bail, your name goes onto a national database of people who are wanted by law enforcement.
Bail bond companies often hire bounty hunters to track down those who have fled while on bail in order to get the court-ordered amount back. The worst part is that bounty hunters are often relentless when it comes to finding people who have fled and will go above and beyond government agencies when trying to locate them. Unfortunately, that means that you’ll always have to be on the lookout, as your face will likely end up on a wanted poster somewhere.
The courts, judges, and prosecutors are not happy when you decide to flee while on bail. This is because it shows that there was no incentive in the case for you to stick around in order for things to be resolved fairly in court.
As a result of your decision to run, there’s a good chance that they will give you harsher sentences in cases where you are found guilty or plead out to these charges. This means that even if the original crime was not serious, running would likely give them a reason to seek a more severe punishment in order to make an example of your actions when it comes to breaking the law and skipping bail.
• ### Get A Warrant Issued For Your Arrest
• ### End Up Back In Jail
• ### Cosigners Are Liable For Bail Amount
• ### Bounty Hunters Come Looking
• ### Harsher Sentences May Be Assigned
Is Fleeing While On Bail Worth It?
When you weigh all of the consequences associated with fleeing while on bail, it’s easy to see that it’s not a wise decision. Not only are you risking additional jail time and a higher bond amount if you’re caught, but you’re also putting your cosigners at risk for financial disaster.
Most importantly, by fleeing, you’re showing that you have no respect for the court system or those who are trying to resolve your case in an orderly manner. This can lead to harsher sentences down the road when convicted, so it’s best to think twice before taking this route. Instead, focus on following the conditions of your release and attending all required court dates so that things can be resolved in a timely fashion.
Need Help With Bail Bonds? Future Bail Bonds Can Help
When you’ve been arrested, Future Bail Bonds is here to help you get out of jail quickly. Our experienced and knowledgeable team of bail bond agents are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact us today to get started and find out more about our services.