Bail is money or collateral paid to the court to allow someone charged with a crime to be released from jail while waiting for their trial. The main goal of bail is to guarantee that the accused person will show up for all required court dates. When someone “skips bail” or “fails to appear,” it means they miss a scheduled court hearing after being released. Skipping bail makes an already stressful situation even worse, make sure to reach out to an Alpharetta criminal defense attorney for help.
Possible Consequences of Skipping Bail
Skipping bail is a serious action that can have far-reaching consequences. Some of the outcomes could include:
Bench Warrant for Your Arrest
If you miss your court date, the judge will almost always issue a bench warrant. This allows the police to arrest you at any time – for example, if you’re driving and get pulled over for a traffic violation, you will be arrested and taken into custody.
Forfeiture of Bail Money
When you skip bail, any money or property you (or someone else, like a bail bondsman) put up as collateral will be forfeited. That money is lost for good, and a bail bondsman may even hire a bounty hunter to find you and bring you back to court.
New Criminal Charges for Failing to Appear
Missing a court date can bring an additional criminal charge. In Georgia, failure to appear is punishable by up to a $200 fine or three days in jail.
The willful failure of any person to appear in accordance with the written promise contained on the citation and complaint and served upon such person shall constitute an offense which shall be punishable by fine in an amount not to exceed $200.00 or by confinement in jail for a period not to exceed three days.
How Skipping Bail Affects Your Original Case
Choosing not to show up for court can also affect your current case in a few ways.
Remain in Jail During The Entire Case
If you skip bail, the judge can revoke your release and order that you be held in jail without another chance for bail until your trial is over.
In some cases, this could be months or even years, depending on how serious your original charges are.
Affect Plea Deals and Sentencing
A failure to appear can also damage your reputation with the court and the prosecutor. When it comes time for plea negotiations or sentencing, missing a court date makes it much less likely the judge will show leniency or work out a favorable deal.
Judges and prosecutors see skipping court as a sign that you’re not taking the process seriously or can’t be trusted to follow their orders. Judges and prosecutors may assume that if you’re sentenced to probation instead of jail, you won’t follow through and will just end up violating the conditions. They may decide the only sufficient sentence is jail time.
Showing up for every required appearance is one of the most important things you can do to protect your rights and your freedom while your case is pending.
Fighting Back – You Can Show Good Reason For Your Failure To Appear
Missing a court date doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be arrested. There are situations where your Norcross defense lawyer can step in and explain what happened. If you had a valid reason for not appearing, such as a medical emergency, car trouble, or a court notification error, your attorney can present this to the judge.
Often, with a good explanation and supporting proof, your lawyer can ask the court to withdraw or prevent a bench warrant and help you get a new court date without additional punishment. Having legal representation makes it much more likely the court will understand your situation instead of assuming the worst.
If a bench warrant has been issued for your arrest, don’t wait or try to handle things alone. Reach out to us right away so we can guide you through turning yourself in and work to minimize the consequences.