Revoking a bail bond for a family member, loved one, or close friend is never an easy choice. After all, you wouldn't have posted bail in the first place unless you wanted to help them stay out of jail. However, sometimes the sad truth of the matter is relationships change, trusts are broken, and it is necessary to protect your finances. The good news is that if you do find yourself in such a situation it is possible to revoke bail.
1. Revoking Bail: Can You Revoke It?
If you are wondering if you post bail for someone can you revoke it, then you’ll be relieved to find out the answer is yes. Indeed, if you have posted bail for someone else in California you can get it revoked by either contacting the court directly or the bail bond agency that you used.
2. Who Can Revoke a Bond?
There are two people that have the power to get bail revoked. The judge associated with the case, and the bail bond agent. They can revoke bail at any point if they suspect the defendant has violated their bail conditions, or plans to flee before their court date.
3. Understanding Revoked Bail: What Does It Mean?
A bond revoke means that the defendant’s bail has been taken back. This means they will be taken back into custody while they wait for their next court date. Usually, bail is revoked because the defendant has broken one or more of the conditions set for them by the judge.
4. Revoking a Bond: How Does It Work?
To get a bond revoked you need to follow the steps below:
- Decide whether you will let the defendant know you are revoking their bond.
- Notify either your bail bondsman or the court that you wish to revoke bail
- If you have posted bail through a bondsman, they will let the court know you wish to revoke bail
- Let the courts or your bondsman know where the defendant is so they can be taken back into custody (arrested).
Indeed, it is important to get the defendant back into custody as soon as possible, because you will not receive a refund on the bail you posted until this happens. Often bondsmen use the services of bounty hunters to expedite this process for you. Although, it may cost you additional fees.
5. Revoke Bond and Get Your Money Back: Is it Possible?
Yes, once a bond that you have posted for someone is revoked you will receive the majority of your money back. However, it is important to remember that some of the money will be owed to either the court or the bail bondsman.
If you have posted bail through a bondsman, then the fee they charge for this service will be non-refundable. If you have posted bail for someone directly through the courts, you can expect them to deduct a small administration fee for the refund.
6. Revoked Bail: What Happens Next?
Once you have let your bail bond company or the courts know you are revoking the bond you posted for someone else, they will be required to return to custody. After they are back in custody they will begin the pretrial process again (this is only 30 days in California). The defendant will also have several options to consider including:
- Remaining in custody until their trial
- Posting bail for themselves
- Finding another co-signer to post bail for them
7. Can a Judge Revoke a Bond?
Yes, a judge is one of the two people who have the power to revoke a bail bond. They can do this either at the question of the person that posted it, or if they see the defendant as a risk to their community, themselves, as a flight risk, or if they have violated the conditions of their bail.
8. Revoking Bail Bonds: Can a Bondsman Do It?
Yes, in California a bail bondsman can also revoke bail if it was made through them. They must then inform the court and judge concerned with the case. Again the reasons that they may do this is at the request of the poster, due to flight risk, or violation of bail conditions. The bail bond agent may then use a bounty hunter to return the person to jail.
