Some of the first things you should do after an arrest include calling a criminal lawyer and a bail bond agent. A criminal lawyer can guide you with getting out of jail and facing your charges, while a bail bond agent can provide the services you need for your release. Once released, you have obligations to the bail bond agent that bailed you out, and one of these is going to court. So, what happens when you miss court while out on bail? Here are some possibilities.

The Judge May Grant You a One-Week Extension

One of the top requirements of using bail to get out of jail before settling your criminal case is going to court. You must go to court. It's not an optional choice. When you have a hearing and decide not to go, several things could happen. If you happen to get a lenient judge, you might receive a grace period. Some judges will offer one-week extensions to defendants who miss court, but this is not a guarantee. If you have a history of missing court hearings, you should not expect a judge to offer this to you.

The Judge Will Order a Warrant

In most situations, judges will not offer extensions. Instead, they will issue warrants. A bench warrant is a tool judges use to arrest a person after he or she misses a hearing. If the judge issues one, the police will come to your home and job to find you. When they locate you, they will take you back to jail, where you will remain until further notice. You may have to stay there until the end of your criminal case.

The Bail Bond Agency Will Send a Bounty Hunter to Find You

If the police cannot find you within a few days, the bail bond agent you hired will take action to find you. Bail bond agents hire bounty hunters for this purpose. A bounty hunter is experienced with locating people and arresting them. If a bounty hunter is after you, he or she will find you, and you will end up back in jail behind bars. To avoid this, make sure you attend your hearings.

Do you realize that missing court while out on bail will result in more problems in your life? If you are facing criminal charges, you already have enough issues to deal with. If you decide to hire a bail bond agent for assistance, you must make sure you follow through with the requirements.