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.
Related: What is the fleeing and eluding sentence in Wisconsin?
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.
