Sometimes you may need to revoke bail -- perhaps you posted bail for your good-for-nothing friend, and you found out he's buying a one-way ticket to Brazil. If you can prove it, you can go to the bail bondsman through whom you posted bail and have the bail revoked. However, you must have clear proof that the defendant is about to violate the terms of his bail, or the bondsman must find clear proof based on your tip. Otherwise, state law does not let the bondsman revoke bail.
Gather the Information
Contact the bail bondsman with any clear information you have that warrants revocation of bail. Ask others who may have such information, such as travel agents, to help you by providing information to the bail bondsman if he requests it. Remind them that a crime is being committed, as they are under obligation to be of assistance. Common reasons to revoke a bond include the defendant having no intention of showing up for court, trying to skip town, reverting back to drug use or simply not checking in as required.
Contact the Bail Bondsman
Fill out any forms that the bail bondsman gives you. Include as much detail as possible regarding the defendant's plans for breaking the terms of his bail. Pay any necessary fees for filing the forms as requested by the bondsman. Pay the bail bondsman any fees that he requests for obtaining a certified copy of the bail bond from the court.
Follow Up With the Bondsman
Wait for the bondsman's agents to locate the defendant and bring him back to court or have him jailed. At that point, you may get back the money you advanced to the bail bondsman, minus additional funds that the bondsman had to spend to find the defendant and bring him back to jail.
Contact Law Enforcement
Contact law enforcement officials if you have clear proof that the defendant is breaking the terms of his bail by breaking the law. An arrest or warrant will help the bondsman prove that the defendant is indeed about to violate the terms of his bail. Laws vary from state to state and some states need more proof than others; a subsequent arrest is the best proof that you can provide regarding the defendant's continued delinquency.
Other Considerations
Do not advance any money for bail unless you are certain that the defendant will appear in court according to the terms of the bond. If the defendant does not appear and you cannot revoke the bond, the bondsman loses the full amount of the bail and you lose the percentage that you advanced on the defendant's behalf.
References
Tips
- Contact law enforcement officials if you have clear proof that the defendant is breaking the terms of her bail by breaking the law. An arrest or warrant will help the bondsman prove that the defendant is indeed about to violate the terms of his bail. Laws vary from state to state and some states need more proof than others; a subsequent arrest is the best proof that you can provide regarding the defendant's continued delinquency.
Warnings
- Do not advance any money for bail unless you are certain that the defendant will appear in court according to the terms of the bond. If the defendant does not appear and you cannot revoke the bond, the bondsman loses the full amount of the bail and you lose the percentage that you advanced on the defendant's behalf.
Writer Bio
John DeMerceau is an American expatriate entrepreneur, marketing analyst and Web developer. He now lives and works in southeast Asia, where he creates websites and branding/marketing reports for international clients. DeMerceau graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in history.