The single most important thing after a bail bond is posted is attending every court appearance. A missed court date triggers a chain of events — bench warrant, bond forfeiture, financial liability for the cosigner — that is stressful and expensive to untangle.
This page explains what happens when someone misses court, what you can do to fix it quickly, and how we help our clients stay on track.
What happens when a court date is missed
- The judge issues a bench warrant for failure to appear (FTA)
- The court begins the bond forfeiture process — a formal order that starts the clock on the bondsman being liable
- The bondsman has a limited window (typically 90 days in Colorado) to produce the defendant back in court
- If the defendant is returned to custody within that window, the forfeiture can usually be vacated
- If not, the bond is forfeited — the bondsman pays the court the full bond amount, and the cosigner becomes responsible for reimbursing the bondsman
How to fix a missed court date fast
Call us immediately. If you realize the defendant missed court, don't wait. Sometimes it's a simple mistake — wrong date, wrong courtroom, car trouble — and calling the court first thing the next morning can get the FTA vacated with no lasting consequence. We can help coordinate. The longer you wait, the fewer options are available.
When a defendant is avoiding court on purpose
Sometimes a defendant intentionally disappears. This is every cosigner's nightmare. The earlier we know, the better our chances of locating and returning the defendant before forfeiture is final. We work with recovery agents when needed. If you suspect the defendant is avoiding court, call us — don't try to handle it yourself.
The cosigner's role in preventing missed court dates
- Know every scheduled court date — we provide reminders, but stay on top of it yourself
- Make sure the defendant knows the date, time, courtroom, and what to bring
- Provide transportation or rides to court if needed
- Watch for warning signs — avoiding contact, emotional distress, changes in routine
- If something is wrong, call us — we can help before it becomes a crisis
Frequently Asked Questions
What if someone misses court because of a real emergency?
Judges generally understand genuine emergencies — hospitalization, family death, car accident — but the defendant (or their attorney) needs to appear in court as soon as possible to explain and get the FTA vacated. Documentation helps. We'll guide you through it.
Will I definitely owe money if the defendant skips?
If the bond is forfeited (the defendant doesn't return to custody within the forfeiture window), yes — the cosigner is contractually responsible. But we work hard to prevent forfeiture, and in most cases we're able to locate and return the defendant before it becomes final.
Can I turn a defendant in myself if they're avoiding court?
Yes. If the defendant is in your custody or you know where they are and they're willing, bringing them to the jail or to us for surrender is the best possible outcome. Call us first — we can coordinate.
How quickly after a missed court date do we need to act?
Today. The same day you learn about the miss. Calling us immediately gives us the most options — fast return before forfeiture, court-coordinated resurrender, whatever the situation calls for.