The Consequences of Fleeing while on Bail

BY | January 13, 2022

We want to be clear: It is never a good idea to flee the state while you’re out of jail on bail in the State of California. Further, it’s not smart or safe to jump bail in any state. There are significant consequences.

To help deter individuals from making this mistake, the skilled and professional team at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds has put together this resource page. Below, you will learn about the consequences of fleeing while on bail, important details about the bail process, and how to secure how assistance if you want to get out of jail on bail.

Don’t Leave the State while on Bail

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fleeing while on bail has become more common than ever before. Still, that doesn’t make doing it right—and when you’re caught, your punishment could be severe.

When you decide to get out of jail and wait for your court date in the comfort of your own home, you make a promise to the court that you will show up when that date arrives. Of course, mistakes do happen. If you happen to miss your court date due to a mistake or sickness, your bail bond agent may be able to reschedule your court appearance—but this is not guaranteed or always easy to accomplish.

It’s also possible for the judge to forfeit your bond, meaning you can’t recover the full value of the bond. Additionally, you could be forced to pay back the bond agency its premium.

Again, to be clear: Fleeing the state while on bail is wrong, even a crime. In California, if you’ve missed your court date and have not been in contact with the court for up to 14 days, you could be charged under California Penal Code 1320.5. Your original charges will be used to determine your consequences for fleeing while on bail.

If you flee bail on a misdemeanor charge, you could potentially face an additional misdemeanor, as well as face up to six months in jail and have to pay a $1,000 fine.

If you flee from a felony charge, the consequences are even more extreme. Not only could you face another felony charge, but you could also be sentenced to one or more of the following:

Up to one year in jail
Up to a year and a half, two years, or three years in prison
A fine of up to $10,000

Fleeing while on bail should never cross your mind as a possibility. For some reason, if you are unable to make your scheduled court date, let your bail bond agent know in advance.

If you need a co-signer on your bond to make bail and then flee, the financial responsibilities o the bond fall back on that co-signer. While a co-signer won't face criminal charges, the civil fines from the court could be hefty.

Finally, if you flee while on bail, the bail bond agency may send a bounty hunter to locate you, resulting in only more charges and challenges.

For everyone’s sake, especially your own, do not flee while on bail.

Working with a Bail Bond Agent to Get Out of Jail

Once it has been determined that a bail bond will be used to get the defendant out of jail, paperwork will need to be signed. This paperwork details the collateral used to purchase the bond, the fees involved, and who is responsible for ensuring the defendant shows up to all court proceedings.

For the bail agent to set up the bond, the agent will need the full name of the defendant, the booking number, the charge or charges the defendant is facing, and the location of the jail. Then, the bail agent will bond the defendant out of jail. This entire process can take several hours, depending on how busy the jail is.

If the defendant fails to show up to his or her court proceedings, the person who took out the bail bond (or the co-signer) stands to lose their collateral and faces additional penalties, as stated above.

There are different types of bonds to choose from, including:

Cash Bond—Bail is paid for in full with cash, a certified check, credit or debit card, or a money order
Surety Bond—A surety bond refers to when a family or friend contacts a bail bond agency to help get a defendant out of jail via a bond
Property Bond—Property is pledged to the court on behalf of the defendant, much like a lien, and held until the end of the case
Own Recognizance—When a judge allows the defendant to be released from jail without bail
Federal Immigration—Federal bonds are necessary when a defendant is detained by the Immigration and Naturalization Service; these bonds have the highest bail bond fee percentage

Once you’ve contacted us for a free price quote, we can discuss in more detail the type of bond that is most appropriate for your specific case.

The price of a bail bond is determined by the location of where the crime occurred and the charge. However, in most cases, the cost of the bond is between seven and ten percent of the bail amount.

We conveniently accept a variety of payment methods for our services, such as:

Credit Cards
Debit Cards
Cash
PayPal
Venmo
Zelle
Bank Transfers

We offer military discounts, payment plans, and rarely require collateral.

Contact 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds

The team at 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds always provides discrete, confidential services. We guarantee your complete satisfaction and promise to never share information with any outside agencies. Remember, we provide free quotes, fast and easy payment plans, and military discounts.

If you want to chat with a bail bond agent today, feel free to give us a call at 800-930-8999. You can also contact us via our website if that’s easier for you. We look forward to hearing from you. During this challenging time, you are not alone. Our bail bond agents can help you move on with your life.

Testimonials

"I recently used the bail bonds services in Santa Ana, CA. Not only was my bond agent quick to fulfill my needs, but also very understanding and informative. I wasn’t judged or criticized—just simply helped out of a tough situation. My bond agent answered my questions and even made me feel comfortable and at ease, despite the grueling circumstances. I don’t plan on getting into any more legal trouble, but if I do, I will contact them again. This team is extremely professional, knowledgeable, and experienced. I highly recommend their services."

Testimonial

"Though I’m not proud to admit it, I recently got into some legal trouble in Santa Ana, CA, which resulted in my arrest. I was scared and confused at first, even unsure of what to do next. However, I contacted 24 hour bail bonds and I’m so happy I did! Not only did a professional and experienced bond agent help get me out of jail, but I was also given insightful information on what to expect moving forward. I was never judged for my actions, only given a second chance. I’m so thankful and cannot recommend their services enough. Thank you!"

Testimonial

"When you find yourself in trouble with the law, the last thing you want is to feel alone. After getting arrested in Santa Ana, I made the decision to call 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds, and I’m so glad that I did! Not only did my bail agent get me out of jail fairly quickly, but I was also told exactly what to do next and what to expect with the process of moving on with my life. Thank you so much! This extremely professional, experienced, and judgment-free team made an awful situation significantly better. I don’t know what I would have done without them".

Testimonial

Contact Bail Bond Services in SoCal

Facing arrest can be quite devastating for you and your loved ones. We also understand how scary and uncertain circumstances can be when in jail, especially when you are unsure how soon you can leave jail. During times like these, you want a professional bail bonds agent to handle your matter so that you can be free in a short amount of time.

If you are looking for the best bail bonds service provider in Southern California, the 24 Hour Online Bail Bonds is the top choice for you. We have integrated online services with standard bail bond procedures to post bail on behalf of our clients. Our agents also understand the need for prompt action after you contact us.

Therefore, you can expect to receive timely bail bonds services in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Diego, and San Bernardino. You do not have to stress about the bail release process after an arrest. Instead, give us a call today at 800-930-8999, and we will offer you quality bail bond services and at a low cost.