Bail Bond Fairness Act of 2007

The Bail Bond Fairness Act of 2007 would change federal law to ensure that a defendant’s bail money is only taken away (forfeited) if they fail to show up for their court date. Under current practices, judges can seize a bail bond if a defendant violates any condition of their release, such as failing a drug test or breaking a curfew, even if they still appear in court as required.

For citizens, this bill would mean that families or friends who provide collateral for a loved one’s bail would not lose their money or property over minor technical violations of release rules. While a defendant could still be sent back to jail for breaking those rules, the financial penalty of losing the bond would be reserved strictly for those who skip their court hearings.