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Simple English definitions for legal terms
jump bail
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A quick definition of jump bail:
Jumping bail is when someone who is charged with a crime and is allowed to leave jail by paying money (called bail) and following rules, doesn't show up for their court hearing or breaks the rules. If this happens, the person loses the money they paid and can be charged with a new crime called jumping bail. This can be a small crime or a big one, depending on the original crime the person was charged with. If the person has a good reason for not showing up, like being sick or not getting the right information, they might not be charged with jumping bail.
A more thorough explanation:
Jumping bail refers to the act of a defendant failing to appear in court or violating the conditions of their bail. When a defendant is charged with a crime, they may request bail from the court. If the court grants bail, the defendant must pay a bond and agree to certain conditions, such as staying sober or not leaving the state. If the defendant follows these conditions and appears in court, the bond money is returned. However, if the defendant fails to appear or violates the conditions, they jump bail.
For example, if a defendant is charged with DUI and is granted bail, they must stay sober until their hearing. If they fail to do so or do not appear in court, they have jumped bail.
Jumping bail can result in the forfeiture of the bond and can also be a crime itself. Depending on the state and the severity of the original crime, jumping bail can be a misdemeanor or a felony.
It is possible for jumping bail charges to be defeated if the defendant can prove that they had a valid excuse for their absence, such as improper notice of the hearing or a serious illness.
Overall, jumping bail is a serious offense that can result in additional charges and consequences for the defendant.