If you get a call from a family member or a close friend who has been arrested, it’s natural to want to help. For many people, it’s not possible to afford bail without borrowing money or getting into debt. This is where bail bonds come in. Bail bond agencies act swiftly to post bail to secure the release of the individual as quickly as possible. If you secure a bail bond for a defendant, you become the indemnitor, which means that you will pay the premium on their behalf. This is a major responsibility. In some cases, once the reality of the situation has dawned on the indemnitor, they may want to explore the option of revoking the bail bond.
In this informative article, we’ll explore why people may want to revoke a bail bond, explain how to revoke a bail bond and discuss if it’s possible for an indemnitor to revoke a bail bond.
Why would an individual want to revoke a bail bond?
It’s understandable to want to help people you love and care about if they find themselves in a situation where they need to post bail, but there are circumstances in which an individual may want to revoke a bail bond. It is a significant responsibility to take on the financial burden of paying the bail bond premium via the chosen bail bond agency. Bail bonds usually cost thousands of dollars. In the moment, helping others may seem like the right thing to do, but on reflection, the indemnitor may question their decision.
Here are some scenarios in which an individual may wish to revoke a bail bond:
- Fears the defendant will not stick to the terms of the agreement: if you are worried that the defendant will re-offend or miss scheduled court dates or hearings, you may want to revoke the bail bond to protect yourself.
- A change in your relationship: relationships can change when somebody commits a crime. You may find out more information about the charges, which makes you question your relationship with the defendant, or you may have a disagreement or a falling out before the trial date. If your circumstances change, and your relationship deteriorates, you may be thinking about revoking the bail bond.
- Financial pressures: if you’re struggling financially, and you feel like you’re under increasing pressure, this can contribute to stress, poor health, sleepless nights and anxiety.
How to revoke a bail bond
How do you revoke a bail bond? If you reach a decision and you want to proceed and revoke a bail bond, there are steps and processes to follow.
In California, if you are a co-signer and you wish to revoke a bail bond, you will need to contact the bail bond agency and explain the situation. You will need to liaise with the bail bond company and ensure that the relevant courts are aware of the changes to make the decision official.
- If the situation is straightforward
If you are on good terms with the defendant and they are likely to post bail themselves if you revoke the bail bond, you can cooperate to complete the process while helping them to post bail themselves and stay out of jail.
- If there is a chance that the defendant will be difficult
The situation becomes more complex if there are concerns about the reaction or behavior of the defendant. If there is a risk that the individual will make the process difficult or complicated, you should contact the bail bond agency and inform the agent of your decision to revoke the bail bond. The company will contact the courts and the defendant will be arrested.
If the defendant cannot be found, there are additional risks for the bail bond agency and the indemnitor. As the co-signer, you will be liable for the cost of additional services required to track down the defendant, for example, hiring a bounty hunter. If the defendant is found and returned to custody, you can then officially revoke the bail bond.
Can an indemnitor revoke a bail bond?
An indemnitor can revoke a bail bond. If you have posted bail on behalf of a friend or relative, you have the right to revoke the bail bond, but you must follow the steps outlined above. You should inform the bail bond agency, and the courts should be aware of the withdrawal of the bail bond. Once the bail bond has been revoked, the defendant will be returned to custody unless they choose to post bail themselves or find another co-signer.
Can authorities revoke bail bonds?
In most cases, indemnitors revoke bail bonds, but it is possible for authorities, including the courts, to revoke a bail bond. This may be the case in the following scenarios:
- The defendant is difficult to locate because they are not wearing the GPS tracker provided
- The defendant breaks the terms of the bail bond agreement or engages in illegal actions before their trial
- There is a high flight risk
How can an indemnitor protect themselves?
Co-signing on behalf of a family member, partner or close friend carries risks. It’s natural to want to protect yourself and find peace of mind before you decide to enter into an agreement with the bail bond agency. To enhance protection, here are some steps to follow:
- Ask the defendant to set up a repayment plan
- Request that the defendant stays within the state of California
- Ask that the defendant attends meetings or gets help and support to tackle any underlying issues, which may increase the risk of repeat offenses or breaking the terms of the bail agreement
Conclusion
It’s understandable to want to help a loved one in need, but co-signing a bail bond is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is possible to revoke a bail bond if your circumstances or the relationship change, or you have concerns about the defendant’s behavior. To revoke a bail bond in California, you will need to contact the bail bond agency and inform them of your decision.
If you have any questions about bail bonds in California, or you need advice about how to revoke a bail bond, don’t hesitate to contact the friendly, experienced bail bond agents at Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds.
