Bail Forfeiture Chart

Bail forfeiture happens when a defendant skips bail and leaves the cosignor on the hook for the full cash amount. If you’re going to sign for someone’s bail, you need to know what bail forfeiture means.

What is Bail Forfeiture

What is bail forfeiture you ask? Bail forfeiture is when the bail is released to the court without the possibility of future repayment. It means if you’ve paid bail, you won’t be receiving your posted bail money. Most misdemeanors and non-violent crimes, the accused person can post bail. This payment helps guarantee that the arrested person will show up for future court dates as their case is considered and decided.

Involuntary vs. Voluntary Bail Forfeiture

Involuntary bail forfeiture (or bail withdrawal) happens when a defendant fails to appear at court after being released from custody. Unless they have a good reason for missing their scheduled court appearance, they lose their bail money.

When a defendant fails to appear in court a bench warrant for their arrest is issued. If a bench warrant is issued for a “Failure to Appear” a new bail amount will need to be issued in order for the defendant to be released from jail. Failure to Appear (FTA) bonds are typically harder to get if a defendant has skipped as some bail agencies may refuse to bond someone out who has skipped bail before.

Some states do allow a defendant to voluntarily release the bail they paid in order to cover their legal fees, court costs or any other fines that come up in the course of their case. However, this money can only be used to cover court fees and fines and cannot be applied toward payments to a victim.

STATE STATUTE

GRACE PERIODS

STATUTORY GUIDANCE TO DEFENSE

STATUTE REMISSION PROCESS

UNPAID FORFEITURE BONDING SUSPENSION

Alabama

28 days

   
§ 15-13-132    
§ 15-13-139  X 
§ 15-13-141   X
Alaska
R RCRP Rule 41
30 daysIf failure to appear was not willfulX 
 
ArizonaNo Statute Found   
Arkansas120 days   
§ 16-84-201   X
See: § 17-19-112&
A.C.A. § 16-84-207
§ 16-84-203 Absences due to physical or mental disability; Detained Elsewhere.  
California
§ 1305
30 DaysDeath, Illness, Insanity; Detained Elsewhere.  
Colorado
§ 16-4-112
14 DaysDetained ElsewhereXX
Connecticut    
§ 54-65a6 Months   
§ 54-74  X 
§ 29-147a   X
Delaware
Supreme Court Rule 32
  X 
Florida    
§ 903.2660 DaysDeemed insane and confined in an institution or hospital; Detained Elsewhere.  
§ 903.28  X 
§ 648.45   X
Georgia    
§ 17‐6‐70
§ 17–6–72
72 hoursMental or Physical Disability; Detained Elsewhere; Deported. X
Hawaii
§ 804–51
30 Days   
Idaho
§ 19–2915
§ 19–2918
180 Days X 
IllinoisNO COMMERCIAL BAIL BONDS SYSTEM
Indiana
§ 27‐10‐2‐12
365 daysDeath or Illness; Detained Elsewhere X
Iowa
§ 811.6
10 Days X 
Kansas
§ 22‐2807
60 DaysDetained ElsewhereX 
KentuckyNO COMMERCIAL BAIL BONDS SYSTEM
Louisiana
§ 15:85
210 days for under $50,000; 400 days for bonds over $50,000 X
Maine
Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 46
30 Days X 
Maryland
MD Rules, Rule 4‐217
90 DaysDetained ElsewhereXX
Massachusetts    
M.G.L.A. 276 § 70An act of God; an act of the government of the United States, of any state or by sentence of law.  
M.G.L.A. 276 § 69  X 
M.G.L.A. 276 § 61B   X
Michigan
§ 765.15
45 Days X 
Minnesota
Gen.R.Prac., Rule 702
90 Days  X
§ 629.59  X 
Mississippi
§ 99–5–25
90 DaysDetained Elsewhere; Is hospitalized or in a recognized drug rehabilitation program; Has been placed in a witness protection program; Any other reason justifiable to the courtXX
Missouri    
§ 374.7636 months   
§ 374.770 Detained Elsewhere  
§ 544.640  X 
§ 374.755   X
Montana
§ 46‐9‐503
90 DaysDeath;  Detained Elsewhere; Has been placed in court ordered treatment in other jurisdiction.  
Nebraska
§ 29‐1109
NO COMMERCIAL BAIL BONDS SYSTEM
Nevada180 days   
§ 178.508 Death, Illness, Insanity; Detained Elsewhere; Deported. See also N.R.S. 178.512  
§ 178.509    
§ 178.516   X 
New Hampshire
§ 597:30
§ 598‐A:2
 An act of God or of the Government of the state or of the United States, or by sentence of law. X
New JerseyNO COMMERCIAL BAIL BONDS SYSTEM
New Mexico
§ 31‐3‐2
10 days XX
New York    
CPL § 540.1045days   
CPL § 540.30  X 
North Carolina    
§ 15A‐544.6150 Days   
§ 15A‐544.5 Death;  Detained Elsewhere  
§ 15A‐544.8  X 
North Dakota    
§ 26.1‐26.6‐09  X 
§ 26.1‐26.6‐05   X
Ohio    
§ 2937.36Not less than 45 nor more than 60 days   
§ 2937.39  X 
§ 3905.14   X
Oklahoma    
59 Okl.St.Ann. § 133290 days X 
59 Okl.St.Ann. § 1310   X
OregonNO COMMERCIAL BAIL BONDS SYSTEM
Pennsylvania    
Pa.R.Crim.P. Rule 53620 days X 
42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5746   X
Rhode Island
Super. R. Crim. P., Rule 46
  X 
South Carolina
§ 17‐15‐180
  X 
South Dakota
§ 23A‐43‐24. (Rule 46(e)(4))
  X 
Tennessee    
§ 40‐11‐139
§ 40‐11‐201
180 daysMental or physical disability; Detained Elsewhere  
§ 40‐11‐204  X
See also T. C. A. § 40‐11‐205
 
§ 40‐11‐306   X
Texas    
C.C.P. Art. 22.13 Death; Sickness or Uncontrollable Circumstance; Detained Elsewhere  
C.C.P. Art. 22.16  X 
Utah    
§ 31A‐35‐504   X
§ 77‐20b‐1026 months   
§ 77‐20b‐104Death   
Vermont
13 V.S.A. § 7560a
10 days   
Virginia
§ 19.2‐143
60 daysDetained ElsewhereX 
Washington    
§ 10.19.10060 days   
§ 10.19.140  X 
West Virginia    
§ 62‐1C‐910 Days   
§ 62‐1C‐11  X 
WisconsinNO COMMERCIAL BAIL BONDS SYSTEM

What Happens When You Skip Bail and The Bond is Forfeited?