If a person is arrested for a crime and then gets bailed out of jail, they are committing an entirely separate crime if they fail to appear for their scheduled court hearing. This crime is called “bail jumping”, but also referred to as “skipping” bail.

Although the laws surrounding this type of offense varies from state to state, any person who decides to jump bail will: 1) forfeit their bond, 2) face additional criminal charges, and 3) continue to face their previous pending charges.

It’s a Crime

Most states define bail jumping as the act of not appearing for a scheduled court appearance after being bailed out of jail for any crime, and then not surrendering to authorities in a set time frame. But some states consider bail jumping an offense for felony-related arrests only. In any circumstance, failing to appear for a scheduled court hearing is a crime, even if a person is innocent of the initial charges for arrest. Skipping bail is a crime all in itself.

Defense for Skipping Bail

Generally, it doesn’t matter what excuse a person has for missing their scheduled court hearing, they will be held accountable for the offense one way or another. The only valid excuse would be a documented hospital stay, or proof of an uncontrollable situation that prevented a defendant from showing (i.e. being kidnapped or held captive, natural disaster, trapped in an elevator, etc.). But these are unlikely cases, and courts know this. Being sick, or simply “forgetting” are not valid excuses for missing a court date, so if it happens to you it is important to act fast and ask your lawyer how to resolve the issue properly.

Woods Bail Bonds

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to surrender to an arrest warrant in Indianapolis, IN. Owner, James Woods, is happy to answer your questions about co-signing for bail bonds, bail agreements, the bail bond process, and more. Whether you need to turn yourself in for an arrest warrant, or bail a friend out of jail, our licensed and insured bail bondsmen are here to help 24 hours a day a 7 days a week. Call 317-876-9600 for reputable Indianapolis bail bonds, today.