What pulling a bond actually means
It means the surety returns the defendant to custody and the court exonerates the bond under Penal Code §1300. The defendant goes back to jail on the original case and can only get out again by posting new bail.
Legitimate reasons cosigners pull bonds
- The defendant missed a check-in or a court date.
- New criminal conduct or a new arrest.
- The defendant moved without notice or is preparing to leave the state.
- Payments stopped and the cosigner cannot carry the balance.
- Threats or safety concerns inside the household.
The process, start to finish
- Call the agency that wrote the bond and state the request clearly; follow up in writing.
- Provide the defendant's current address, vehicle, and workplace.
- The agency arranges the surrender — either the defendant self-surrenders or a licensed recovery agent takes them into custody.
- The agency files the surrender with the court and asks for exoneration.
- Collateral is released once the court exonerates the bond.
What it costs you
The premium is generally not refunded. Penal Code §1300(b) provides for premium return only in limited circumstances where the surrender is made without good cause before the case concludes — a fact-specific determination. Recovery costs may be charged if a recovery agent is required.