jump bail

jump bail

To intentionally not appear in court after having been released on bail, which is a security paid to allow one to avoid imprisonment until one appears in court. Failing to appear results in the forfeit of one's bail. The worst thing you could do is jump bail—then you'll be a fugitive and everyone will think you're guilty.
See also: bail, jump
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

jump bail

 and skip bail
Fig. to fail to appear in court for trial and forfeit one's bail bond. Not only was Bob arrested for theft, he skipped bail and left town. He's in a lot of trouble. The judge issued a warrant for the arrest of the man who jumped bail.
See also: bail, jump
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

jump bail

or

skip bail

If someone who is accused of a crime jumps bail or skips bail, they fail to appear in court when they should. He jumped bail and fled America the day before he was due to stand trial for murder. He was sentenced to an additional three months for skipping bail and going on the run for nine months. Note: `Bail' is money paid to an official in exchange for freedom until a court appearance.
See also: bail, jump
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

jump bail

tv. to fail to show up in court and forfeit bail. Lefty jumped bail, and now he’s a fugitive.
See also: bail, jump
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

jump bail

To fail to appear in court after having been released on bail.
See also: bail, jump
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • give (one) (one's) head
  • give head
  • give somebody their head
  • give someone their head
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • cooking for one
  • as one door closes, another (one) opens
  • as one door closes, another opens
References in periodicals archive
Most Kenyans are conversant with my job and can easily spot me anywhere; therefore, making it impossible to jump bail," she said.
Maribe seeks her release to take care of son
Adirieje pledged that his client would not jump bail, but would provide responsible sureties.
Court Remands Applicant For Resisting Arrest
The defence counsel, Mr Sunday Olagbaju, pleaded for the bail of his client in the most liberal terms as he promised that his client would not jump bail.
Cult Membership: Court Remands Suspect In Prison Custody
He promised the court that his clients would not jump bail, but provide substantial sureties.
Court Remands 2 Fake Herbalists Over Alleged N365, 000 Fraud
Adegoke, prayed the court to admit his client to bail in the most liberal terms, promising that his client would not jump bail.
Court Remands Applicant For Allegedly Stealing 20 Bags Of Cement
The Defence Counsel, Mrs Innocental Akhigbe, applied for the bail of the defendant, pledging that her client would not jump bail.
Court Remands Man For Allegedly Stealing 4 Cows
He also told the court that the defendant will not jump bail nor intimidate the witness in or any further investigation in the case.
Court Remands Businessman For Alleged Dangerous Driving, Causing Death Of Policeman
The defence counsel, Mr Dele Awominure, pleaded for the bail of his defendants in most liberal term and pledged that his clients would not jump bail, but would produce reliable sureties.
Police Arraign 2 Men In Court For Alleged Fraud
The Defence Counsel, Mr Bolaji Adewale, who applied for the bail of the defendant in the most liberal term, pledged that his client would not jump bail, but would produce substantial sureties.
Court Remands Man In Prison Custody For Alleged Assault, Breach Of Peace
Earlier, Feese prayed the court to admit his client to bail, arguing that contrary to the submissions of the prosecution, she was granted administrative bail by EFCC and did not jump bail.
Missing JAMB N35m: Court Admits Woman To N20m Bail
The Defence Counsel, Mrs Innocentia Akhigbe, who pleaded for the bail of the accused in a most liberal term, pledged that her client would not jump bail but would produce substantial sureties.
Man In Court Over Alleged Motorcycle Theft
Justice Ashigir agreed with the accused's counsel that they would not jump bail and would not tamper with investigation.
EFCC: Court Grants Kwara Government Officials Bail
He assured that his client will not jump bail as he is a reliable and well know citizen.
Alleged Certificate Forgery: Court Admits Adeleke To N2m Bail