In Bannock County courtrooms and courtrooms across the nation there is something missing: defendants. People failing to appear for scheduled court dates is putting an unhealthy burden on the judicial system and ultimately costing taxpayers. Too often overcrowded jails cause defendants to be cited and released or released on their own recognizance with no real consequence for failing to appear at a future court date. If a defendant is a no show then a warrant is issued for their arrest. Overloaded law enforcement agencies and court systems cannot keep up with the demand of tracking down fugitives. All too often, those that fail to appear in court are not held to answer for their alleged crimes. In many instances, they are arrested for new crimes and fail to appear at those court dates. The circle is never-ending.
Requiring people to post bail may resolve some of the warrants that plague the court. One of the primary functions of a jail is to hold a defendant prior to their appearance in court, so under a bail system a defendant can either wait for their appearance or post bail to be released. This monetary requirement, even if a small amount, has proven to increase the likelihood of their appearance in court. People feel a responsibility or more importantly an obligation when money is on the line, particularly if friends or family has helped to post bail. Bail bondsman can also help the overburdened judicial system by going after fugitives who have failed to appear. This alleviates the pressure on law enforcement and the courts to find these people and bring them to justice. The cost to taxpayers is eliminated as well. Bail companies bear the responsibility and cost of bringing the defendant to justice, not the taxpayer.
It is clear that the American judicial system faces some tough roads ahead. Overcrowded jails and underfunded courts are just the beginning. Allowing defendants to post bail can help. It won’t solve every issue overnight, but it will help.
To learn more about the true cost of fugitives or about bail in general, contact Premiere Bail Bonds today at 800-662-0056.
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