What is the process called when a defendant who failed to show up in court can reactivate their bail bond?

The process of reactivating a bail bond after a defendant has missed a court appearance is referred to as reinstatement. This term specifically indicates that the original bond is being restored or reinstated to its active status after the defendant has taken the necessary steps to address their absence in court.

When a defendant does not appear as required, the bond is usually forfeited, meaning that the court retains the bail amount, and the bondsman is at risk of losing the money they posted on behalf of the defendant. However, if the defendant can resolve the reason for their absence—such as by appearing in court or demonstrating good cause for the missed appearance—the bond can often be reinstated in a legal process.

This reinstatement is crucial since it allows the defendant to maintain their freedom while awaiting further legal proceedings instead of remaining incarcerated. It also benefits the bondsman by preventing financial loss associated with the bond forfeiture. Other terms like reactivation, renewal, and reapplication do not have the same legal standing in this specific context as reinstatement does, lacking the particular connotation related to restoring a previously active bond.