If you've posted bail for a loved one, you need them to stay in town. If they fail to follow the terms of their bail, you could lose out on the cash and collateral you've posted. But, your loved one could get their bail revoked. If that happens, your loved one will go back to jail until their case makes its way through the court system. Unfortunately, that process can take months or even years. If your loved one has broken the terms of their bail agreement, you need to act fast. If you're not sure what to do, read the list provided below. Here are three steps to take if your loved one has broken their bail agreement. 

Identify the Reason

If it appears that your loved one has skipped bail, the first thing you need to do is identify the reason. There could be a legitimate reason why your loved one missed their court appointment. For instance, if your loved one was injured in an accident, their bail might not get revoked. Before you take the next steps, try to contact your loved one. If you can't, you'll need to move on to the next steps right away. 

Contact Their Lawyer

If your loved one has skipped bail, you need to notify their attorney as soon as possible. Their defense attorney might be able to delay court action for the time being. This can give you enough time to convince your loved one to come back home.

If that's not possible, your attorney can work to negotiate a safe solution for your loved one's return. If a warrant is issued for your loved one, you risk losing your cash and collateral once the bail bond gets revoked. 

Notify the Bail Agency

If your loved one's bail has been revoked, now's the time to notify the bail agency. This is especially important with regard to the collateral you gave for the bail bond. If your loved one's bail bond has been revoked, talk to the bail bond agency right away.

You might be able to negotiate a resolution that will allow you to hold onto your collateral. One way to resolve the issue is to pay the outstanding bail amount in cash to the bail bond agency. You can also ask for a reduction in the total payout. This can help you save money on the bail amount. It can also help you keep your collateral.

Reach out to a bail bonds agency to learn more.