What does revoking a bond mean?

If you have been released and waiting for your trial after an arrest and criminal charge, then you are out on bond.

If you do not comply with the rules of your bond release then your bond can be revoked.

If your bond is revoked then you are going back to jail to await your trial.

Additionally, you could forfeit your bond if it is revoked. So simply put, what does revoking a bond mean?

Getting your bond revoked is serious business, you will be going back to jail and losing your money.

Quick facts about bail

Before diving into what does revoking a bond mean, let’s discuss bail and bail bonds.

An arrest is made. After an arrest, you will be taken to jail and wait there until you pay bail.

You must pay bail. Bail is an amount of money you are required to pay to be released from jail while waiting for your trial. This money is the promise that you will appear on the day of your trial. If you can pay your bail outright then you are released to go home.

So what if you cannot pay your bail outright? Many people cannot afford to pay the bail outright. Bail can cost an easy $500 or a high amount, such as $100,000.

If you cannot pay your bail in full, then you can seek the services of a bail bondsman, who will charge you only a percentage of the bail called the bail bond.

Read down below to discuss needing a bail bond with a bond agency.

Conditions for revoking a bond

When looking at “what does revoking a bond mean?” let’s discuss the rules that need to be followed to avoid the bond being revoked.

If you have posted bail, then you need to make sure you carefully follow the rules given to you while you wait for your trial.

Rules can very vary from case to case depending on the severity of the crime and state laws.

Breaking the rules while out on bond, will result in further consequences which you will want to avoid.

One such consequence could be that your bond is now revoked and you will lose your freedom while you wait for your trial.

What are the conditions or rules which you must follow after being released from jail?

Do not commit another crime. Not committing another crime while awaiting your court date is probably the most obvious condition.

Not appearing in court. Failure to appear on your court date after you made bail, will typically result in the loss of your bail money, called forfeiting your bail.
When you appear in court, your bail money is paid back, or in the case of working with a bail bonds company a portion of your money is returned except the bond you paid, that is the bail bondsman fee. Also, a warrant for your arrest may be issued.

Drug and alcohol. You might have the right to drink alcohol revoked while awaiting your trial, especially if your offense has alcohol involved such as a DUI. Along with alcohol restrictions, the use of drugs is prohibited.

Tracking system. You might be required to be GPS monitored

You may have a restraining order and no contact allowed with certain individuals, especially the victims of the crime.

Do not travel. Traveling can appear like you are fleeing your trial. Even if you are not traveling out of your state, it would be wise to stay put.

If you have entered into an agreement with a bail bond agency then you are required to keep up with your payments.

If your bond is revoked can you get another one?

If your bond is revoked and you are wondering if you can get another one, the answer is simply, that it is up to the court to make that determination.

Your bond may not be reinstated, you may have to try to get an entirely new bond. You can hire a lawyer to request that your bond be reinstated however it is up to the judge to make the ultimate decision.