What must a bail bondsman do when a defendant misses a court date?

• A. Pursue a private arrest without court authorization.
• B. Cancel the bond at the first sign of trouble.
• C. Notify the court, pursue any authorized surrender or recovery actions, and inform the indemnitors as required by the bond agreement.
• D. Ignore the missed court date and wait for further instructions.

Answer: (C)

When someone misses a court date, the bondsman must act within the bond terms and the law to protect the contract and the indemnitors. The right course is to promptly notify the court of the non-appearance, pursue any surrender or recovery actions that the bond agreement and state law authorize to bring the defendant back into custody, and inform the indemnitors about the missed appearance and any potential liability as required by the bond. This approach keeps the bond enforceable, helps recover the defendant through authorized means, and ensures indemnitors are kept in the loop about financial exposure. Taking unilateral steps like canceling the bond, or attempting a private arrest without authorization, or ignoring the issue, would breach obligations and can create legal and financial risk for the bondsman.