Can my daughter avoid paying bailjump charges if the charges were dropped?

Full question:

My daughter was charged with 2 bailjumps which were on signature bonds, the charges were dropped and read in but the county is still charging for the bonds (waukesha county, wi) There is no way for her to pay these in prison, the interest has doubled them. Is there any way out?

  • Category: Bonds
  • Date:
  • State: Wisconsin

Answer:

If your daughter did not intentionally miss a court date and can show that there was a misunderstanding about her obligations, she might have a defense. This could include showing that she believed the matter was resolved or that she was not required to do what she failed to do.

Consulting with a local attorney is advisable. They can review the specific facts and documents related to her case.

Regarding the bonds, if a bondsman is involved, they typically back a surety bond through an insurance company. If the bond amount is high, the bondsman may require collateral, such as property, from the defendant or a cosigner. If the defendant skips bail, the bondsman can place a lien on the property and may start foreclosure proceedings to recover the bond amount. The outcome will depend on whether any collateral or cosigners are involved.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

In Wisconsin, bail bonds are agreements that allow a defendant to be released from jail while awaiting trial. A bail bond can be a cash payment or a surety bond through a bondsman. If a surety bond is used, the bondsman charges a fee, usually a percentage of the total bail amount. If the defendant fails to appear in court, the bondsman may seek to recover the bond amount, often by using collateral provided by the defendant or a cosigner.