What occurs if a defendant fails to appear in court?

When a defendant fails to appear in court, the bail bond may indeed be forfeited. This means that the bail agent becomes responsible for the full amount of the bond as they pledged to the court that the defendant would appear for their scheduled court dates. The forfeiture process acts as a consequence for the defendant's failure to comply with the court's order, thereby holding the bail agent accountable for ensuring the defendant's appearance.

This process is central to the operation of bail bonds, as it serves as an incentive for both the defendant to appear and the bail agent to manage their clients effectively. If the defendant does not show up, the court views this breach seriously, leading to the forfeiture of the bond and possible further legal actions against both the defendant and the bail agent. Such measures are necessary to maintain the integrity of the judicial process and uphold the conditions under which bail is granted.