Arraignment, Bail, Bonds, Pretrial Bail Paid, Court Appearance Missed, Bench Warrant Issued but Charges Dropped - Bail Refundable?

[AskingThisOneQuestion]

Jurisdiction

Louisiana

Was arrested in Louisiana 15 odd years ago. Four counts - 2 misdemeanor, 2 felony, $4,000 bail (not bond) paid. The misdemeanors were dropped, $2,000 of the bail was refunded. The remaining charges sat for ages as the DA decided whether or not to pursue charges, and I was very young and stupid and I left the state and didn't show up for court. Bench warrant was issued.

Some years later bench warrant was cancelled and the charges were dropped. I know that generally speaking if you don't show up for court you surrender your bail money. I'm wondering though, if the charges that lead to your arrest and bail in the first place were dropped, does that negate the entirety of the situation and are you eligible to have the bail returned? Or do you lose it no matter what because of having not shown for court?

 

[army judge]

if the charges that lead to your arrest and bail in the first place were dropped, does that negate the entirety of the situation and are you eligible to have the bail returned?

NO

Or do you lose it no matter what because of having not shown for court?

You don't lose the bond.

The bond was kept because you chose to abscond.

Read the documents you possess (if you still retain same) related to the bond.

If you no longer have them, I'll sum it up for you.

If you abscond, you forfeit the bond, so does the bonding agent.

Which is why bondsmen come after "skips".

 

[AskingThisOneQuestion]

I know the difference between bond and bail. I did not pay bond. I paid bail. The bail amount was $4,000 in total. I did not go through a bondsman. I paid the entirety upfront.

 

[army judge]

I know the difference between bond and bail. I did not pay bond. I paid bail. The bail amount was $4,000 in total. I did not go through a bondsman. I paid the entirety upfront.

Good for you.

Too bad you weren't smart enough not to become involved in breaking the laws of the State of Louisiana.

I wish you well.

 

[AskingThisOneQuestion]

The only law I broke was not appearing in court as summoned. The other charges were dropped, and your presumption of guilt pertaining to said charges is pretty appalling for someone who is ostensibly here to provide legal advice. I'd rather be someone who made a mistake by not appearing in court in his early 20's, 15 years ago, than the type of person who feels confident enough to make moral judgments on strangers. Clearly posting here was a massive mistake.

 

[Highwayman]

Clearly posting here was a massive mistake.

Not as big a mistake as failing to appear for court.

So FIFTEEN years later you want to address this? Good luck.

 

[army judge]

your presumption of guilt pertaining to said charges is pretty appalling for someone who is ostensibly here to provide legal advice.

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[army judge]

Clearly posting here was a massive mistake.

Not to worry, genius, I just fixed that for you.