What Happens If I Skip Bail While Facing Criminal Charges?

According to research, there are a whopping 10 million arrests every year. Some of these cases are dropped, but most of them are subject to standard criminal law procedures.

If you’ve been arrested on any number of criminal charges including DWI, DUI, BWI, drug possession, domestic violence, or other crimes, you’ll be required to attend court hearings and post bail. However, some people who are facing criminal charges decide to “skip”—or “jump”—bail.

Jumping bail is when you fail to appear in court to face charges after you post bail to get out of jail. The act in and of itself violates both state and federal laws and makes your legal situation so much worse. Here’s how.

1. You’ll Lose Your Bail Money

When the court sets bail in certain cases, it gives offenders a “way out of jail” before trial. In essence, you’ll pay cash to keep yourself out of jail.

If you skip bail, the judge will order that you forfeit your bond, which means monies posted for your jail release will be lost.

If you paid the bail yourself, you’ll lose all your money personally. If you received financial help from a bond agent, you’ll owe his or her firm a hefty sum of money. And if a cosigner—a friend or relative, for example—was involved, you will leave them “holding the bag.” In some cases, when bail is a large sum of money, people put up their automobiles or homes as collateral to post bail. Skipping bail could cause them to forfeit their property.

2. You Face More Jail, Fines, and Debt

Bail bond agents will check in with you to make sure you are adhering to the provisions of your bail. If you’re a no-show for your court date or other legal obligations and you don’t have a “reasonable excuse,” the agent may request that the judge issue a warrant (or capias) for your arrest, allowing them to legally track you down and take you back to jail—landing you in jail a second time.

But it doesn’t end there. Bail jumping opens up a series of separate charges almost directly proportionate to the original charges you were initially facing:

· Class C misdemeanor. If you were facing a Class C misdemeanor charge initially, you’ll face an additional fine of up to $500 for skipping bail.

· Class A misdemeanor. If you were facing a Class A or Class B misdemeanor charge initially, you’ll face up to a year in jail.

· Third-degree felony. If the original charge was a felony punishable by two to 10 years in a state prison, you’ll face an additional two to 10 years in prison.

3. It Jeopardizes Your Original Case

Having the best chance in court when you face criminal charges is tough enough. Your attorney should be relentlessly trying to defend you, but you have to do your part too. Showing up is the first step. While you may have a strong enough case to get your charges dismissed, if you jump bail, everything changes—you just look bad in the eyes of the court. At this point, it may not matter how good your attorney is; he or she can’t mount an effective defense if you don’t show up for your hearing.

4. Your Record Is Trashed

Skipping bail goes on your criminal record. Not only will you face additional penalties, but you’ll also have all the information about your actions displayed on your record. Missed court hearings should never be on your record.

If you’re arrested again in the future, the court will examine your record and take your propensity for bail jumping into account when considering the new charges. Bail jumpers don’t get much leniency from the courts, resulting in heftier future bail amounts or being denied bail altogether.

Recommended Read: I Was Arrested For DWI,  And I’ve Made Bail—What Should I Do Next?

Are you looking for a rigorous, experienced, and detail-oriented criminal defense lawyer in Texas? Attorney JL Carpenter has helped hundreds of clients just like you fight criminal charges.

Her practice areas include DWI, BWI, domestic violence, drug possession, and family violence, among others. Explore her reviews for a closer look at her success rate.

Click here to schedule a consultation. JL represents clients across the Greater Houston area, including Friendswood, Clear Lake, League City, and the surrounding areas. Visit her website for more information or contact her to schedule an appointment.