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If you posted bail for yourself or on behalf of a loved one following an arrest in California, you agreed to several conditions. Violating those terms will see the bail revoked and a warrant sent out for another arrest. Thankfully, if you know how to reinstate a bond with help from Future Bail Bonds, it is possible to avoid spending more time in jail or losing money.

When does bail become forfeited?

Following an arrest in the Golden State, the courts will offer defendants the opportunity to post bail, which will subsequently secure their freedom until their trial date arrives. Regardless of the penal code violation that the arrest relates to, bail is only granted if the defendant agrees to several terms that are ultimately designed to prevent the threat of fleeing prosecution. 

Some of the most common conditions of bail that defendants agree to include, but are not limited to;

  • Attending a set number of pretrial court hearings, as well as each day of the trial.
  • Not leaving the State of California without prior consent.
  • Attending and passing drug screenings throughout the pretrial process,
  • Not committing any other crimes.

If you do violate any of the terms stated, bail will be forfeited. Unfortunately, this will bring several repercussions. Firstly, the bail fee that was previously held in escrow will now be kept by the courts, even if you are later found innocent at trial. As well as cash payments, the forefit will extend to any assets that were used as collateral.

Secondly, a warrant for your re-arrest will be sent out while you will also find that your chances of being offered future bail will be reduced. The crime of “failing to appear” will be added to the list of offenses too.

What does it mean to get a bail reinstatement?

Forfeiting bail is a far from enviable situation, but it doesn’t have to signal the end of your freedom between now and the trial date. In many cases, it will be possible to have bail reinstated - if you have the right team of bail bond experts on your side.

A bail reinstatement simply means that the courts will agree to reverse the decision to forfeit your bail, which will ultimately mean that you are granted bail once again without the need to make any additional payments. In short, then, it means that your case returns to the same status that it was when you first posted bail. 

This does, of course, mean that you will be expected to satisfy the terms of your bail agreement. Violating them for a second time will not help. 

How to reinstate a bond in California

Firstly, it should be noted that it won’t always be possible to reinstate a bond after a bail violation. Ultimately, the courts must determine that there are valid reasons for being unable to attend a hearing or meet other terms. In addition to genuine excuses, defendants may be able to argue that the bail conditions were ambiguous. 

Whatever reason is presented, it is far easier to get the forfeit overturned when you have a bail bond company on your side. Here at Future Bail Bonds, we will support our clients with dedicated bond reinstatement services. As long as you are up to date with any applicable payments, we will complete this process for free. This will include;

  • Determining what paperwork is needed and filling it out on your behalf,
  • Contacting your attorney if required,
  • Ensuring that the terms of your bail are now clear and understood.

Reinstating the bond will ultimately ensure that your freedom is maintained without re-entering the arrest and booking process. Aside from the practical and legal benefits, it’ll support your financial health while also providing the peace of mind that you deserve.

What about reposting a bond

In some cases the courts may request that the bond is reposted rather than reinstated. If you initially posted bail through another agent who has now let you down, our experts can repost a bond on your behalf. This means that bail needs to be posted again, but the funds are still held in escrow, meaning that everything will be returned to the right parties after your trial - assuming you keep to your new bail terms.

Generally speaking, we will not charge any extra for this service. The only exception is if you have had the bail amount increased, perhaps due to committing another misdemeanor or having an enhancement added to your case. While reposting a bail bond is slightly different to reinstating one, the practical changes as far as you are concerned will be minimal. 

Whether you posted your initial bond through our agency or another, we should be able to support you following the violation of your bond conditions.

What if I posted the bail myself?

If you posted a cash bond or property bond without using a bail bond company, our bond agents won’t be able to assist you. However, it may still be possible to secure a bond reinstatement. Consult with your attorney to determine what paperwork is required by the courts - this can vary from one California county to the next - before completing those steps to present your case.

Alternatively, defendants that posted their own bail without a legal representative can use this moment to find an attorney. Assuming they have an agreeable relationship with the courts, your hopes of a smooth bond reinstatement will be far greater.

The final verdict

After posting bail, either personally or through an agency, satisfying your bail stipulations is always the most effective way to avoid unnecessary jail time. However, if you do violate the terms for whatever reason, having a bail bonds company that knows how to reinstate a bond on your side can deliver the best results for your freedom and peace of mind.

It is certainly worth considering this before posting bail too. So, if you need to get yourself or a loved one out of jail today, call Future Bail Bonds to get the process started now.