What must be proven to avoid liability for a bail bondsman if a defendant flees?

To avoid liability for a bail bondsman if a defendant flees, it must be proven that due diligence was exercised. This means that the bondsman took all reasonable steps to ensure that the defendant would appear in court as promised. Due diligence may include efforts such as maintaining communication with the defendant, verifying their residence, and monitoring their activities to prevent flight.

When a bondsman demonstrates due diligence, they show that they acted responsibly and took appropriate measures to mitigate the risk of the defendant fleeing. This standard protects responsible bondsmen from liability for circumstances beyond their control, such as a sudden decision by the defendant to abscond.

The other options focus on various factors that do not meet the necessary legal standard for a bondsman to avoid liability. For instance, simply being unaware of the defendant's flight does not absolve a bondsman of responsibility, nor does the strength of the defendant's case or claims of coercion impact the liability issue in this context. The emphasis is on the actions taken by the bondsman to ensure the defendant's compliance with court appearances.