North Carolina Bail Bonds Complete Practice Exam

A bondsman faces the possibility of bond forfeiture primarily when the defendant fails to appear in court. This is the central premise of the bail bond system, which is designed to ensure that individuals released on bond will return for their court appearances. When a defendant does not show up as required, the court may declare the bond forfeited, meaning the bondsman is liable for the full amount of the bond. This risk acts as an incentive for the bondsman to select reliable clients and to keep track of their court appearances effectively.

In relation to the other options, while factors like failing to notify the court, issues with the bond's signature, or registration might complicate a bondsman's responsibilities, they do not directly trigger a forfeiture in the same manner that a defendant's failure to appear does. Forfeiture is specifically a consequence of the defendant's actions, underscoring the bondsman's exposure to financial risk based on the actions of those they are backing.