FAQs

Yes. The bail bonding agent may revoke a bond for almost any reason.

Yes. The defendant is obligated by the bail agreement to appear when required by the court. The bail bonding agent is authorized by contract to use reasonable force to apprehend and return the defendant to custody.

Courts generally allow a short period of time before judgment on the bond is entered. It is in your best interest to immediately contact the bail bonding agent and assist in having the defendant appear in court before judgment is entered. If the bail bonding agent has to locate and arrest the defendant, you may be responsible for related fees and expenses. Surrendering the defendant may keep you from having to pay the full amount of a forfeited bond.

No. Bonding agents are not allowed to charge a consent fee to stay on a bail bond.

A “consent of surety” is a written document that you get from your bail bonding agent. Bail bonding agents are not required to give you a consent of surety. If you cannot get a consent of surety, you may be required to post a new bond. You may need a consent of surety for: Bond Reinstatement If you have failed to appear in court when required, the bond may be void unless you obtain a consent. Bond Continuance If you are convicted, plead guilty, nolo contendere, or there is an order of deferred prosecution or deferred judgment, your bond will automatically

It is important for you to act quickly. If you posted a bond with a bail bonding agent, contact the agent immediately. The bail bonding agent may provide you with a “consent of surety.” You must take the consent of surety to the court clerk and ask for a new court date. If you did not post a bond through a bonding agent, then go to the court clerk as soon as possible and make arrangements for a new court date. In either case, a warrant was probably issued for your arrest for failure to appear.

The court may issue a warrant for your arrest, revoke your bond or increase the amount of your bond. You may also be charged with a completely new crime, known as “failure to appear.” The bail bond may be forfeited and the property or money deposited as collateral for the bail bond may be lost.

Yes. The most important condition of the bond is your agreement to appear at each and every court hearing. It is your responsibility to know where and when those hearings are set.

The defendant must also agree to meet certain requirements known as “conditions.” The most important condition is that the defendant appears at all hearings. Failure to appear may result in arrest and forfeiture of the bond amount. Failure to appear is a separate criminal offense that can result in imprisonment from 6 months to 1 year and the loss of eligibility for probation or a suspended sentence. Other standard conditions prohibit the defendant from committing a crime or leaving Colorado while released on bail. The defendant must acknowledge the existence of a mandatory restraining order that prohibits contact with witnesses or

A bail bonding agent posts a defendant’s appearance bond and guarantees that the defendant will appear whenever required. Bail bonding agents must be licensed by the state and have an appointment with an insurance company or be a qualified cash bonding agent. Bail bonding agents are paid a premium, which is usually nonrefundable, to post the bond. If the defendant fails to appear, the court may order the bond “forfeited” and require the bonding agent to pay the court the full amount of the bond. Bail bonding agents have the right to apprehend, return the defendant to custody, and to use