What is the typical process after a bail bond is forfeited?

When a bail bond is forfeited, the typical process involves the court sending a judgment against the bondsman for the bond amount. This occurs because the bond is essentially a contract between the bondsman and the court, ensuring that the defendant will appear for their scheduled court dates. If the defendant fails to do so, the court initiates the process of forfeiting the bond.

Sending a judgment against the bondsman is a legal avenue the court takes to recover the bond amount, which represents an obligation that has not been met due to the defendant's failure to appear. This process is significant because it reinforces the responsibility of the bondsman to ensure that the defendant adheres to their court commitments.

In contrast, the other options do not reflect the standard procedure following a bond forfeiture. For example, a bond is not automatically reinstated, nor does a failure to appear lead to an immediate arrest of the defendant or require the client to pay a fine to the court directly. Instead, the focus remains on the bondsman's liability due to the forfeiture, which upholds the contractual obligation tied to the bail bond agreement.