What can a bail agent do at any time before the forfeiture of an undertaking?

A bail agent has the authority to surrender the defendant to custody at any time before the forfeiture of an undertaking. This is a critical function of a bail agent, as they are responsible for managing the bond and ensuring that the terms of the bail are upheld. If the bail agent has concerns about the defendant's compliance with the conditions of bail, they can choose to surrender the defendant, which effectively closes the bond agreement.

This action helps to mitigate the risk for the surety and prevent potential losses associated with a forfeited bond, as the defendant's surrender means that they are no longer at large and any issues can be resolved with the court. The ability to surrender the defendant is a powerful tool that allows the bail agent to maintain control over the situation and uphold the integrity of the bail system.

Other options, such as releasing the defendant without any conditions or changing the bond amount, are not typically within the authority of the bail agent. The bail agent operates within the terms set by the court and the surety, so they cannot arbitrarily alter those terms. Contacting the surety directly is often not needed unless there is a specific reason to do so, as the bail agent usually communicates through established channels. Therefore, surrendering the defendant to