Bail Jumping Archives - Gamino Law Offices, LLC

The Basics of Bail Jumping in Wisconsin

Bail Jumping in Wisconsin - Carlos Gamino

If you’re charged with any crime in Wisconsin, the court can charge you with bail jumping if you intentionally fail to comply with the terms of your bond. Here’s what you need to know about bail jumping and Wisconsin law.

What is Bail Jumping in Wisconsin, and How Do You Get This Type of Charge?

The state can charge you with bail jumping if you intentionally fail to comply with the terms of your bond. Here’s what happens: When you’re arrested, the court sets your bail amount and the conditions of your bond, which means you must pay a certain amount of money and agree to do (or not do) certain things as a condition of your release from jail.

If you’re able to pay the bail amount the court requires, and if you agree to the terms of your bond, you can get out of jail. But there’s a catch: If you violate the conditions, you’ll go straight back to jail – and you’ll pick up a bail jumping charge.

Bond conditions always say that you must not commit any other crimes while you’re out of jail. Beyond that, the judge in your case might impose other restrictions. For example, if you were caught driving under the influence, you won’t be allowed to drive while you’re out – and you must stay sober, too. Likewise, if you were charged with a violent crime, the court may say that you can’t possess any dangerous weapons. If you’re out on bond and you’re caught doing something you’re not supposed to do (like drinking or carrying a gun), the state can charge you with bail jumping.

Consequences of Bail Jumping

Bail jumping can be a misdemeanor or a felony. If you were initially charged with a misdemeanor, your bail jumping charge will most likely be a misdemeanor. If you were initially charged with a felony, your bail jumping charge will most likely be a felony.

Do You Need Help With a Bail Jumping Charge?

If you need help with a bail jumping charge in Wisconsin, we’re here for you. Call us at 414-383-6700 or contact us online to learn about your options and to find out how we can help you.

Carlos Gamino

By Tedia Gamino|2021-07-17T12:32:43-05:00March 4th, 2020|Criminal Law|Comments Off

Forget About Going Back to Court… Head to the Beach Instead?

Bail Jumping in Wisconsin - Attorney Carlos Gamino

By Carlos Gamino

You posted bond and you’re out of jail. Your Wisconsin criminal defense lawye r told you when and where to show up… but seriously, you’re out of jail.

So what’s really stopping you from heading to Florida and laying on the beach, sipping Mai Tais or margaritas and checking out the bikini scenery?

You could catch a bus south for under a hundred bucks, and before you know it, you could immerse yourself in a community somewhere south (which is pretty much anywhere from here). If you never use your real name (or Social Security number, or previous address, or anything else that ties you back to your old life) again, you can live free and happy without worrying about facing a judge, getting slapped with fines, or spending time behind bars.

Nice, right?

(Are you on your way to Florida yet?)

Of course you’re not.

Because while it’s a nice fantasy, it’s a stupid idea. It’s stupid because the odds of getting away with it aren’t in your favor. The chances that you’ll get caught and dragged back to Milwaukee in cuffs are pretty good—and once you arrive, you’ll be facing a whole new set of charges (which could be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on your situation).

Even skipping bail for a couple of weeks and heading to Waukesha or Chicago and missing one court date is enough to land you behind bars. The judge will issue a warrant for your arrest, and the police will be after you. If you think getting caught by Dog the Bounty Hunter would be bad (“Have a cigarette, brah! Don’t let that ice mess up your life, brah. It’s business in the front, party in the rear, brah.”), you haven’t had the displeasure of being hunted by these guys.

Failure to Appear in Court

When you’re granted bail, the judge lets you go because he or she believes you’ll come back. If you mess that up—even one missed court date counts—chances are pretty good that you’ll never see bail again. Bail jumping is actually a serious offense, and it’ll add to the criminal charges you’re already facing.

If your original charge was a misdemeanor, bail jumping is a Class A misdemeanor that’s punishable by up to 9 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.

If your original charge was a felony, bail jumping is a Class H felony that’s punishable by up to 6 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

While Florida does sound really good (especially if you’re skipping a winter court date to go down there), do you really have an extra few years to spend in prison?

Did You Miss a Court Date in Wisconsin?

No matter why you missed court, whether it was a good reason or a not-so-good reason (going to the beach is not a good reason in the court’s eyes), our team of Wisconsin bail jumping lawyers may be able to help you.

Call us at 414-383-6700 for a free consultation as soon as possible. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can start developing a strategy that helps your case.

Carlos Gamino

By Tedia Gamino|2021-07-25T15:43:32-05:00November 23rd, 2019|Criminal Law|Comments Off

What is Bail Jumping in Milwaukee?

What is Bail Jumping - Attorney Carlos Gamino

By Attorney Carlos Gamino

Bail jumping – the act of breaking the terms of your bond on purpose – is a crime in Wisconsin, and if a court convicts you of it, you’re going to face the punishments associated with a Class A misdemeanor or a Class H felony.

What the Law Considers Bail Jumping

Wisconsin law says that the court can find you guilty of bail jumping if you “intentionally fail to comply with the terms of” your bond. Typically, the conditions and terms of a bond say that you’ll show up for court when you’re supposed to be there and that you won’t get arrested for anything while you’re between court dates.

When Can the Court Convict You of Bail Jumping?

The court can convict you of bail jumping if you:

Were arrested for or charged with a misdemeanor or a felony
Were released from custody on bond, and your bond had conditions
Intentionally failed to comply with the terms of your bond, even though you knew what they were and that what you were doing didn’t comply with them

If you accidentally violated the terms of your bond, you can use that to defend yourself. For example, if you were driving to court for your scheduled appearance but you got a flat tire, you stopped to save a family from a burning building or you had a genuine emergency, your attorney can explain your situation to the court. It’s still up to the court to decide whether you have a valid reason or you’re making an excuse, but typically, genuine emergencies are a good defense for bail jumping charges.

When is Bail Jumping a Misdemeanor and When is it a Felony?

Bail jumping is a misdemeanor if you had originally been charged with a misdemeanor. Likewise, it’s a felony if you were originally charged with a felony.

Do You Need Legal Help?

If you need legal help after being accused of bail jumping, we’re here. Call us at 414-383-6700 for a free consultation today.

Attorney Carlos Gamino

By Tedia Gamino|2021-08-08T13:34:34-05:00October 18th, 2019|Criminal Law|Comments Off

DEDICATED TO PROTECTING YOUR RIGHTS

Bail Jumping

Title