Is a Co-Signer Responsible for the Full Bail Amount?

Today’s question comes from Yahoo Answers, where we regularly answer bail related questions: 

Question: If someone signs a bonds paper as a co signer do they really have to pay for the full bail amount if I don’t show up?

Answer:  It is a fact that a co-signer on a bail bond is agreeing to pay the full bail amount  if the defendant does not show up  to court and cannot be located.

In most states, when the defendant doesn’t show up to court as promised, the bondsman and the co-signer have some time to get the defendant back into court. As long as defendant goes back, the co-signer will not pay the full bail amount. They will need to pay only if the defendant cannot be located.

That said, why would you not show up? You certainly do not want to be running from the law — every state has access to warrants nationwide. The reason the bail bonds system is effective is because the bondsman will come looking for you. Between the legal system and the bondsman, it would be best for you to simply go to court. Plus, someone was generous enough to get you out of jail. The least you can do is take care of your situation so they are no longer on the hook.

If you’ve already missed your court date, you can easily arrange a new court date and your bondsman can help. You should call right away.

Got a bail related question? Ask The Bondsman

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9 responses to “Is a Co-Signer Responsible for the Full Bail Amount?”

1. mike l writes:
   

   If I am a cosigner on someone’s bail bond and they fail to appear for court and cannot be located, can the bond forfeiture be discharged in bankruptcy?

   @ July 13th, 2011 at 06:06
2. Tonya Page writes:
   

   Bail bonds are not generally discharged in bankruptcy. You will want to check with your bankruptcy attorney for specifics.

   @ July 19th, 2011 at 13:39
3. Cecilia Tovar writes:
   

   So if the defendent goes to there court date the cosigner wouldn’t pay anything or lose their ownship to their home or car.

   @ July 26th, 2011 at 19:48
4. dezzy writes:
   

   If I am a cosigner can I be arrested if the defendant doesn’t go to court and can’t be located? ?

   @ July 28th, 2011 at 03:14
5. Tonya Page writes:
   

   If you are the co-signer, you are responsible to get the defendant back into court or pay the full amount of the bail.

   @ August 3rd, 2011 at 12:53
6. Tonya Page writes:
   

   The cosigner will pay the bail bondsman’s fee — in most states that is 10% of the full bail amount.

   @ August 3rd, 2011 at 13:16
7. kaybug writes:
   

   If I co signed on a bond and they can’t find him.. would I be arrested if I can’t come up with all the bail money.

   @ February 21st, 2012 at 18:29
8. Tonya Page writes:
   

   You won’t be arrested, but you will be responsible first and foremost to help get him back into court. If he cannot be located, you will be responsible to pay for the bail in full.

   @ February 21st, 2012 at 20:05
9. Alex writes:
   

   if i am a co signer and they lost contact of him or her and she does not pay the bail and i dont have money to pay what will happen?

   @ March 1st, 2012 at 22:49