Facts About Bail Jumping in Wisconsin

It is common to be placed on a bail-bond when charged with a crime in Wisconsin.  After being arrested or charged, a court will often require that the person accused post money to remain free from jail and to follow certain rules while the case is pending.  For instance, a court might order the accused to refrain from drinking alcohol or to refrain from having contact with a person or location.  These rules are called bail-bond conditions.  If the accused believed to have broken the bail-bond condition(s), they can be charged with an aother crime called Bail Jumping. The law falls under Wis. Stat. 946.49. 

A charge of bail jumping can be a Misdemeanor or a Felony, depending on the crime the person was originally put on bail-bond to begin with.  For instance, a person placed on bond for a misdemeanor crime – such as disorderly conduct – will be charged with misdemeanor bail jumping if they violate.  The same goes for someone on bail for a felony offense.  If you are charged with Bail Jumping and have questions, call call Wyosnick Legal, LLC at 608-772-4649.

Understanding Different Types of Bail (Bond) in Wisconsin

Following most criminal charges in Wisconsin, a defendant is eligible to be released from custody while their case is pending. Wis. Stat. 969.01. This process is known as setting bail or bond in a case.

Cash bond vs. Signature bond

Following an arrest, a court will set, either, a Cash Bond or a Signature Bond.

Cash Bond:

Requires cash be posted to a circuit court as collateral to ensure that the defendant return to court for future court dates, as well as complies with bail conditions. If a defendant violates bail, the posted money will be automatically forfeited to the court.

Cash bonds are normally reserved for defendants with lengthy criminal histories, or defendant who have shown a habit of failing to appear to court following arrests, or defendant who are charged with crimes of violence.

Forfeiting money posted: the consequence for violating bail

Signature Bond:

Allows the defendant to remain free from custody by signing their bail slip, in which they promise to return to court, as well as refrain from violating any conditions of their bail that were established by the court.

Bail Conditions

When a court sets bail, a court will impose Conditions of Bail that the court mandates that a defendant follow.

Common Bail Conditions:

No new arrests/crimes;

No consumption of alcohol and/or illegal drugs;

No contact with a victim or victims;

No contact with certain addresses or locations;

Appear at every court date

If a defendant fails to follow the conditions, set by a court, the defendant can be charged with Bail Jumping and have any money posted forfeited to the court.

For a free consultation regarding bail jumping charges, please call Wyosnick Legal, LLC at 608-772-4649.