Legal Definitions - jump bail

When an individual is accused of a crime, they may be held in custody while awaiting their court proceedings. To secure their temporary release, a court may grant bail, which typically involves the defendant providing a financial guarantee (a bail bond) and agreeing to abide by certain rules and conditions. The purpose of bail is to ensure the defendant returns to court for all scheduled appearances.

To jump bail means that a person who has been released on bail fails to comply with the terms of their release. This most commonly occurs in one of two ways:

• Failing to Appear: The defendant does not show up for a required court hearing, such as an arraignment, pre-trial conference, or trial.
• Violating Conditions: The defendant breaks one or more of the specific rules or restrictions imposed by the court as part of their bail agreement (e.g., a "no-contact" order, a travel restriction, or a requirement to abstain from drugs or alcohol).

When someone jumps bail, the financial guarantee provided (the bail bond) is typically forfeited to the court. Additionally, the court will usually issue a warrant for the person's arrest. Depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the original charge, jumping bail can also be considered a separate criminal offense, leading to new charges and penalties in addition to the original case.

Examples:

• Scenario: Failure to Appear for a Hearing

  A person named Alex is arrested for misdemeanor theft. The court sets bail at $1,000, which Alex pays. A condition of Alex's release is to appear for a preliminary hearing in two weeks. On the scheduled date, Alex simply does not show up to court.

  Explanation: Alex's failure to appear for the preliminary hearing, despite being released on bail with the explicit requirement to do so, constitutes jumping bail. The court would likely forfeit the $1,000 bail money and issue a warrant for Alex's arrest.

• Scenario: Violating a Condition of Release

  Maria is charged with domestic battery and released on bail. One of the strict conditions of her bail is a "no-contact order," prohibiting her from communicating with the alleged victim, her estranged spouse. Despite this, Maria repeatedly calls and texts her spouse, attempting to persuade them to drop the charges.

  Explanation: Even though Maria might intend to appear for her future court dates, her actions of contacting the alleged victim directly violate a specific condition of her bail. This violation means she has jumped bail, potentially leading to her bail being revoked, the bond forfeited, and new charges for bail jumping.

• Scenario: Evading Electronic Monitoring

  David is facing felony charges for grand larceny and is released on a substantial bail bond. As part of his release conditions, he is required to wear an ankle monitor that tracks his location and is prohibited from leaving the county without court permission. One evening, David tampers with the device, removes it, and drives across state lines.

  Explanation: David's act of removing his electronic monitor and leaving the designated geographical area directly violates the conditions of his bail. This demonstrates jumping bail, as he has broken the rules set for his temporary freedom, leading to immediate forfeiture of his bail and a warrant for his arrest, likely with additional charges.