The short answer is yes, but not just by walking away. A bond is a legal agreement tied to your criminal case. It stays active until the court ends it or the bondsman withdraws it. Getting out of a bond means ending that agreement in a legal way, so you are no longer responsible for court attendance or financial risk. The steps you can take depend on if you are the defendant on the bond or a cosigner who helped secure release.
If you are the defendant on the bond
As the defendant, you get out of a bond when the court no longer needs it. That usually happens when your case reaches a final resolution. Until then, you must keep following all bond rules.
- Finish the case – when your case ends through dismissal, plea, trial, or sentencing, the bond is closed, and you are released from it.
- Request a bond change – a lawyer can ask the judge to lower the bond, change conditions, or switch you to a different release type. If the judge approves, the old bond can be replaced.
- Replace a surety bond with cash – if a bondsman posted your bond and you want out of that contract, you may be able to post a cash bond instead. The court must accept the replacement before the surety bond ends.
If you are a cosigner who wants off the bond
Cosigners often want out when they feel the defendant is not taking the court seriously. You cannot remove your name while the bond stays active. You can only end your responsibility by ending or replacing the bond.
- Ask the bondsman to surrender the defendant – the bondsman can revoke the bond and return the defendant to jail. Once that happens, your liability ends.
- Have the defendant rebond with someone else – a new cosigner or a new bond replaces the old one. When the old bond is discharged, you are released from it.
- Switch to a cash bond – if the defendant posts cash and the court closes the surety bond, you are no longer tied to it.
What does not get you out of a bond?
People sometimes think a phone call or a simple request is enough. It is not. Bonds and bond contracts are formal legal obligations.
- Stopping communication does not end a bond.
- Changing your mind does not remove your name.
- Waiting it out only works if the case ends and the bond is closed.