North Carolina Bail Bonds Practice Exam

What is the consequence if a defendant fails to appear in court after a bail bond is issued?

1. Probation revocation

2. Forfeiture of bail

3. Immediate release

4. Mandatory counseling

The correct answer is: Forfeiture of bail

When a defendant fails to appear in court after a bail bond has been issued, the primary consequence is the forfeiture of bail. This means that the amount of money or the value of the bond that was posted to guarantee the defendant's appearance in court is lost. The bail bond acts as a financial assurance to the court that the defendant will appear as required; therefore, when they do not show up, the court sees this as a breach of the agreement made at the time of release. The process generally involves the court ordering the bail amount to be forfeited, and this forfeiture can lead to further legal actions against the defendant. The bail bondsman may also seek to recoup their costs, which can include hiring a bounty hunter to locate and return the defendant to court. This situation underscores the importance of adhering to all court appearances while out on bail, as the financial and legal ramifications are significant. The other options listed do not pertain directly to the immediate consequence of failing to appear in court after a bail bond has been issued. For example, probation revocation is linked to violations of probation terms rather than bail, immediate release suggests that there are no further penalties, and mandatory counseling usually pertains to specific treatment requirements rather than legal obligations related