Which of the following triggers a bond forfeiture?

Which of the following triggers a bond forfeiture?

• A. Defendant attends all court appearances
• B. Defendant posts a new bond
• C. Defendant pays the full amount of the bond
• D. Defendant fails to appear

Answer: (D)

Bond forfeiture happens when a defendant fails to appear in court as required after a bond has been posted. The bond acts as a promise to appear; if the defendant doesn’t show up, the court keeps the bond to compensate for the risk of non-appearance. Attending all court appearances shows compliance with the release terms, so it would not cause forfeiture. Posting a new bond or paying the full amount are ways to secure or satisfy the release, not breaches of its conditions, so they don’t trigger forfeiture.

Bond forfeiture happens when a defendant fails to appear in court as required after a bond has been posted. The bond acts as a promise to appear; if the defendant doesn’t show up, the court keeps the bond to compensate for the risk of non-appearance. Attending all court appearances shows compliance with the release terms, so it would not cause forfeiture. Posting a new bond or paying the full amount are ways to secure or satisfy the release, not breaches of its conditions, so they don’t trigger forfeiture.