Has anyone you know been arrested and then skipped bail after securing a bail bond? In some cases, that person may want to hide out in your home after skipping bail. If someone tries to skip out on court, it is important that you know how to handle this potentially dangerous situation.
Do Not Allow Them Into Your House
Whether it is your mother, father, brother, or best friend, you should never take someone into your home that has skipped bail. This makes them a fugitive. If they are caught in your home with your knowledge, you can end up in jail yourself for harboring them. While it can be difficult to say no to someone you care about, you are risking your own safety by taking them in.
Contact the Police
While it would be ideal for the fugitive to turn himself or herself in, chances are they will not be willing to do so. If you have put your foot down about them coming to your home, try to find out where they are going and contact the authorities. It can be hard to turn someone in, but it is the right thing to do. You will not be charged with a crime for a fugitive talking to you on your doorstep, but you can get into hot water if you withhold information from the police.
Talk to a Bail Bondsman
If you are very familiar with this person, you may know who their bail bondsman is. After he or she skips bail, try to get in touch with their bondsman with any information you have. The bail bondsman takes a major financial risk when bailing someone out of jail, since he or she is the person who is charged with making sure that person shows up in court. Tell the bail bondsman any information you have, including the last time you spoke to the fugitive and where you think they may be heading. You also should mention that you had nothing to do with the person leaving.
No matter who it is, having a fugitive show up at your house can be a very difficult situation. This is not an ideal situation to be in, particularly if it is someone you are very close with. Do not allow your emotions get in the way of making smart decisions. After you have made the appropriate phone calls, be sure to contact your own attorney to ensure you are covered legally in the event you are brought into the situation.
