What does "walking off a bond" mean?

"Walking off a bond" refers to the situation where a defendant intentionally does not comply with the terms of their bail agreement. This term is used in the bail bonding industry to indicate that the defendant has effectively exited the agreement without fulfilling the required conditions, such as attending court dates or maintaining communication with the bail agent. This action can lead to negative consequences, including the bail agent forfeiting the bond amount and potentially pursuing the defendant or employing bounty hunters to ensure they return to court.

In this context, compliance with bail terms would negate the notion of "walking off," as it implies adherence to the conditions set forth. Failing to report back to the bail agent is more indicative of a breakdown in communication but does not necessarily capture the intentional aspect of not complying. The action of a bail bond agent canceling a bond is a separate issue that typically arises from different circumstances, such as the defendant's actions prompting the agent to terminate the bond agreement. Thus, understanding "walking off a bond" specifically pertains to the willful disregard for meeting the conditions of bail.