Missing payments on anything whether it be a credit card, mortgage, or personal loan can be bad, lowering credit scores, increasing interest rates, and increasing the amount of time needed to pay back these forms of credit. However, missing a bail bond payment can result in going to prison, and losing out on collateral that was posted. According to trusted professional bonding agencies, missing a payment is one of the most important things to avoid while out on bail. Missing payments does not only impact the perception of the defendant by the bonding agency, but also by the courts.
Immediately After a Missed Bail Bond Payment
When a bond is set, and a bondsman comes in to pay as a representative of the defendant, the accused person and their family are set responsible for following the guidelines outlined in the bond contract, and the rules and laws of the court. In the contract made by the bonding agency, payment dates will be outlined and explained in full detail, ensuring the clients and their families understand the bonding process to its full extent. Once the contract is signed it is legally binding and missed payments can even result in new criminal charges being posed against the defendant.
Immediately after missing a payment, the Bonding Agency or the local authorities will likely give the defendant or their family a call, or they may pay a visit and arrest the defendant on the spot this can be particularly stressful and scary if the defendant’s family is around to witness this, so it’s better to avoid missing payments if at all possible.
The Best Course of Action
Missing a bond payment is not ideal for anyone, but there are two responsible courses of action that can be taken in the case that a missed payment is being foreseen. The first thing to do is contact the bonding agency and inform them that the bond payment may not be able to be paid this month due to some financial hardship or other difficulty. Some bonding agencies have plans in effect for this, and they can lower the value of monthly payments, but this does come with the risk of increased interest rates, and it will take longer to pay off the bond. More collateral may be taken to ensure the bond will be paid off eventually. If the bonding agency has no plan in place for this, it would be responsible for the defendant to speak with their lawyer and ask about the options available for their circumstances.
Being Aware of Bail Rules and Regulations
Bonding regulations are different in every state, and sometimes vary by town or county, so it is important to speak with a trusted local bondsman who is familiar with the rules and regulations of the area. Securing a bail bond can be a scary process to do alone, and sometimes the price of bail is too high for families and defendants to post. Speaking with a professional and trusted bondsman who knows the area can be incredibly helpful, aiding defendants in being able to spend time at home preparing for their court date.
