When a defendant fails to appear in court, the bail bond is forfeited. However, the bond may be reinstated under certain circumstances.
A motion to reinstate asks the court to set aside the forfeiture and restore the bond. This typically requires showing good cause for the missed appearance.
Valid reasons might include medical emergencies, accidents, or circumstances beyond the defendant's control.
The defendant must surrender or be located and returned to custody for the motion to be considered.
An attorney can file a motion to reinstate on behalf of the defendant or the bail bondsman.