Skipping bail—also called "jumping bail" or "failure to appear" (FTA)—has serious consequences that make your situation much worse.
Immediate Consequences
- Bench warrant issued: The judge will issue a warrant for your arrest
- Bail forfeited: You (or your cosigner) lose the entire bail amount
- Additional charges: Failure to appear is a separate crime
- Bond revoked: You'll likely be held without bail when caught
The New Criminal Charge
Failure to appear is a separate offense. In Texas, it can be:
- Class A misdemeanor if the original charge was a misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail)
- Third-degree felony if the original charge was a felony (2-10 years prison)
⚠️ Making It Worse
Skipping bail almost never helps. You'll eventually be caught, and you'll face worse consequences than if you'd appeared as required.
Impact on Your Cosigner
If someone cosigned your bail bond, they face serious consequences:
- Liable for the full bail amount
- May lose any collateral they put up
- Responsible for bounty hunter costs
- Credit damage and potential lawsuits
What to Do If You Missed Court
- Contact your attorney immediately
- Turn yourself in voluntarily (this looks better to the judge)
- Explain any legitimate reason for missing
- Don't make the situation worse by continuing to hide
Possible Defenses
Sometimes missing court wasn't intentional:
- Medical emergency
- Never received notice of the court date
- Mistaken date or location
- Family emergency
An attorney can help present these circumstances to the court.
Missed a Court Date?
Don't make it worse. An attorney can help you resolve the situation.
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