“Knowing what not to do after posting a bail bond is important. Getting bail is not an exciting experience. But being in jail, waiting for the trial, is frightening.”

In the U.S., most citizens have the opportunity of getting bail before the trial formally begins. Everyone is deemed innocent until proven guilty. But getting out on bail is, of course, not without conditions.

The conditions may vary from case to case. Below, we list what not to do after posting a bail bond in Connecticut.

5 Not-to-Do Things After You Get Out of Jail on Bail

1. Don’t Miss Your Court Appearance

Do not miss your court appearance after posting a bail bond. Missing the court date could mean that your bail bond will be forfeited, and you will be charged for not obeying the court order and ordered back to jail. If you miss the court without giving an acceptable reason, your bond can be forfeited. ­

Authorizing bail means giving freedom to the accused. But on the sole condition that he or she will appear in court when required to do so.

If there is an emergency that prevents you from attending court, immediately call your bondsman. There are only a few valid excuses for not appearing in court. Among them are serious illness or not getting the court notice. It’s extremely important to attend court after posting a bail bond.

In any case, a good practice is to stay in touch with your bail bond company.

2. Don’t Leave Your State—Unless Authorized

Secondly, do not leave your state if you are out on bail. You can travel within your state. But if there is a need to move out of the state for a brief period, you have to ask permission from the court and inform your bail bondsman. The terms of bail are also set by the bail bond company. If you need to leave the state, you should consult with your bail bondsman as well as the court. Depending on the circumstances, the court may allow you to travel outside the state. Take the time to explain to your loved one the reasons behind what not to do after posting a bail bond, so they make an effort to comply.

3. Don’t Contact the Parties Involved

The case that forced you to post bail may have some parties involved. They may be your primary opponents or witnesses. Limit your contact with them after posting bail. Do not try to influence any party, especially those who may be witnesses. Witness tampering is a serious offense.

You should disclose the facts and circumstances of your case to your legal counsel. They will take it from there. Even if you have to contact the other party, do so through your legal counsel, not personally.

4. Don’t Ignore Bail Conditions

There may be extra caveats attached to your bail bond. They depend on the nature of your crime. For instance, if you were arrested for driving under the influence, the bail conditions may include clauses such as: not consuming alcohol, not going to bars that serve alcohol, and attending AA meetings and DUI traffic school. Lest you find yourself in hot water with the authorities, you must follow these conditions.

In some cases, the conditions may get stringent. In others, the conditions may be lenient. The bail conditions are not always fixed. As we said earlier, they depend on nature, severity, frequency, and harm caused by the crime. Flight risk is another consideration. Defendants with the means to travel out of the state or country may be required to wear an ankle monitor, for instance.

5. Don’t Commit Any Illegal Activity

No one should break the law. But those who are out on bail should be extra careful about committing a crime. If you are out on bail, breaking the law can get you rearrested. This means more trouble since it can reverse your current bail and make any additional bail more expensive or unattainable.

In addition to what not to do after posting a bail bond, if you are arrested in another county or state, the law enforcement of that county or state is not obligated to transport you to the court for your appearance in the other case. Besides forfeiting the old bond, you will have to stand trial for the earlier offense. And so, the troubles may aggravate.

Learning  what not to do after posting a bail bond may avoid any unpleasant situation. You need to stay away from committing any illegal activity. If being in a certain company is a bad influence in your life, try to distance yourself from such people.

3-D Bail Bonds is a licensed Connecticut bail bond company, serving the state since 1997. When someone you love has been released on bail, explain to them what not to do after posting a bail bond to avoid new charges. For help and guidance with bail bonds in Connecticut, our team is available 24/7 to assist you at all local police departments and courts. With our bilingual team of agents and affordable bail rates, we are your best bail choice in the state.