If there is one person that someone out on bail does not want to anger, annoy, or lose trust with, it is the co-signer of his or her bail bond. If the co-signer is a best friend, then the defendant can butt heads with their siblings and parents all they want. It is the best friend that he or she wants to be on good terms with. The co-signer, holds a lot of power in regards to this person’s free standing.
Bail bonds require a co-signer, and a co-signer is someone who will vouch for the defendant. The defendant is responsible for getting him or herself to court as scheduled, but the co-signer is also responsible for getting the defendant to court. The co-signer does not necessarily have to physically drive the defendant to court, but if the defendant cannot get there on his or her own, then the co-signer better be there to help.
If the defendant is not at court, both the defendant and co-signer will face consequences. The defendant will be tracked down and taken back into custody; the co-signer will have to pay up on the bail bond.
However, since the co-signer is someone who willingly offered to be responsible for a person in a situation they did not originally have a part of, the co-signer has the right to withdraw his or her name from the bail bond at any time, for any reason such as: they feel the defendant will be a hassle and cause problems, they do not have time, or they realize they cannot risk losing money. If they do withdraw their name, the defendant will be taken back into court until they can secure a new co-signer.
So, you can see why it is imperative to not get on your co-signer’s bad side.
