What happens if a defendant fails to appear in court?

When a defendant fails to appear in court, the consequences can be significant for both the defendant and the bail bondsman. In this case, the correct course of action is that the bail may be forfeited, and the bail bondsman has the right to pursue recovery of the amount they provided for the bail.

Forfeiture occurs because the court looms over the defendant's obligation and ensures accountability for appearing as required. When a defendant skips a scheduled court appearance, the judge can issue a bench warrant for their arrest and may also order the bail amount to be forfeited. The bail bondsman, who has a vested interest in the defendant's compliance with court dates, can then initiate recovery processes to reclaim the amount of the bond from the defendant or employ bounty hunters to locate and return the defendant to custody.

The other options do not accurately reflect the standard legal outcomes concerning failures to appear. Therefore, option B stands out as the correct choice, encapsulating the legal repercussions faced by the defendant and the actions subsequent to a missed court appearance.