If a defendant fails to appear in court, what action can a bail bondsman take?

When a defendant fails to appear in court, a bail bondsman is authorized to apprehend the defendant. This right stems from the contractual agreement between the bondsman and the defendant, ensuring that the bondsman is able to recover or mitigate losses incurred from the defendant's failure to fulfill their court appearance obligations. The ability to apprehend the defendant is a crucial aspect of the bail bonds system, as it allows the bondsman to bring the individual back to court and uphold the integrity of the bail process.

This action is typically performed by a licensed bounty hunter or a professional agent who works on behalf of the bail bondsman, as they possess the tools and knowledge to locate and retrieve individuals who have skipped bail. By doing so, the bail bondsman protects their financial interest, as they stand to lose the bail amount posted if the defendant remains at large.

Other options, such as filing for bail cancellation or notifying the police, may be relevant but do not directly address the immediate action that a bail bondsman is permitted to take in response to a defendant’s failure to appear. Increasing the bail amount is not within the authority of the bondsman once bail has been set by the court.