Final answer:
A bondsman must take action when receiving a Bond Forfeiture Notice, which usually involves notifying the defendant and indemnitor, and potentially working with a recovery agent to ensure the defendant appears in court or risking the loss of the bond amount.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a bondsman receives a Bond Forfeiture Notice, this indicates that a defendant for whom the bondsman posted bail has failed to appear in court as required. The bondsman is then typically responsible for taking certain steps to rectify the situation. These usually include:
- Notifying the defendant that a bond forfeiture has been issued and advising them to appear in court immediately.
- Providing a copy of the Bond Forfeiture Notice to the indemnitor (the person who signed for and secured the bond, typically a relative or friend of the defendant), which states their financial responsibilities under the terms of the bond agreement.
- Working with a recovery agent or bounty hunter to locate and bring the defendant back to court if they do not surrender voluntarily.
Failure to comply with these actions can lead to the bondsman losing the bond amount posted on behalf of the defendant and could involve legal and financial repercussions for the indemnitor.