Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Washington

Am I still liable for a bail bond

I was one of 3 signors on a bail bond for $10,000. I removed my name in person per the office clerk's instructions prior to the last court date for the defendant because I was moving out of state. The defendant did not attend the last court date. and jumped bail. She was finally caught and now the bond company is sending me bills for fugitive recovery costs of $8,000.It took them 3 months or so at $100 per day to find her. They are not billing the other 2 people. Am I still on the hook even though I removed my name? One other person removed her name also and they do not contact her at all. They won't respond to my letters reminding them that I removed my name. It's been 2 1/2 years since I signed the bail bond.


Asked on 5/30/99, 7:01 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Silverberg Silverberg Law Office

Re: Am I still liable for a bail bond

FIRST, and I mean do this RIGHT NOW:

Get in touch with the court, get someone to locate and look at that old file. See if they confirm that you were taken off the bond, and if so, the date you were taken off. Then verify the date of the failure to appear. Next, ask the clerk whether removing you from the bond required court approval, and if so, whether that court approval is in the file. Finally, ask the clerk what you have to do to get CERTIFIED copies of the pages from the file showing all of the above, and DO IT.

Once you have the certified copies showing that you were removed from the bond before the failure to appear, send COPIES (NEVER the originals) of those papers to the company that's bugging you. Tell them that if they bother you again you will consider suing them for harassment and damages under all applicable federal and state statutes.

If this doesn't get rid of them, consult an attorney in your area. Your local bar association may be able to refer you to someone knowledgeable in this area of law.

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Answered on 6/02/99, 8:43 pm


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