What happens when a defendant fails to appear (FTA)?
The court will order the bail bond forfeited. A notice will be sent to the bail agency and surety company. We will try to call the defendant or co-signer to determine the reason of the FTA. Liberty Bail Bonds will have 185 days from the date of the notice to get the defendant back in court or surrendered him or her to jail. 85% of the time the defendant is not intentionally trying to avoid going to court. Usually the FTA is due to a mistake or oversight. Under these circumstances, the bond can be reinstated and the forfeiture set aside if the defendant contacts us immediately after the FTA.
