Bail bonds are a form of collateral that guarantees a defendant will appear in court. Failing to attend any hearing throughout the trial could have serious consequences for the accused and the friend or family member who purchased the bond. Here's a look at the most serious potential penalties.

What Happens When a Defendant Doesn't Show Up to a Connecticut Court?

1. An Arrest Warrant

If the defendant is absent at a court hearing, the judge may issue a warrant for their arrest. Once this has been issued, the accused could be taken into custody at any time. While police may not go actively looking for someone who missed a court date if the charge is minor, having an active warrant means any interaction with law enforcement, such as being pulled over for a speeding ticket, could end in arrest.

2. Additional Criminal Charges

In Connecticut, defendants who miss a court date may be charged with an additional criminal offense. Failure to appear is a class A misdemeanor that's punishable by up to a full year in jail and fines of up to $2,000. When a defendant misses court and one or more charges are a felony, the failure to appear is an additional felony offense.  Failure to appear in the first degree is a Class D Felony. A class D felony offense has a maximum penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a $5000 fine. Because the defendant has already violated their conditions of release in a previous case, the court is more likely to increase the bail for the rest of the trial.

3. Legal Action From the Bail Bond Agency

When arranging a bond, the bail bond agency issues a guarantee to the court that a defendant will make all their scheduled appearances. If possible, many will try to locate their client and return them to police custody to avoid paying the full bail amount. Here is when the co-signers' help is fundamental to find the absconder. 

While Connecticut bail agencies have the resources to bring defendants back to court, they only have a set time frame by the court to bring them back. If the agency does have to pay, they have the right to take legal action against the individual who paid for the bond. For this reason, it's important for co-signers to help ensure the accused appears at every scheduled court date. If you have a loved one who has missed court, there are some steps you can take to minimize these consequences. Learn more here.

Having a loved one accused of a crime is always stressful and overwhelming, but the professional bail agents at 3-D Bail Bonds will help. For years, our trusted team has assisted those in stressful situations, offering 24/7 consultations to ensure a fast jail release for our clients. We also provide free financing with 0% interest. To learn more about our staff, visit the website. You can also call (860) 247-2245 to speak to a bail agent in either English or Spanish at our main office in Hartford or go to 57 Fishfry St. across from the Hartford Correctional Center. To contact a New Britain bail bondsman, dial (860) 229-2525 or visit 15 Arch St near the New Britain Police Department. Call (203) 838-4920 for help posting bail in New Haven and the Hamden area.