What action does a judge or magistrate take when a suspect defaults from a court appearance?

When a suspect fails to appear for a scheduled court appearance, the judge or magistrate typically takes the action of revoking any bail privileges. This step is taken to ensure the suspect remains accountable to the court. When bail is granted, it is predicated on the condition that the individual will appear for their court dates. Defaulting on an appearance undermines that trust and the judicial process, prompting the court to respond by revoking bail, which may result in the issuance of a bench warrant for the arrest of the suspect to ensure their return to court.

Other actions, such as issuing a temporary restraining order or scheduling a new court date, are not standard responses to a failure to appear. Additionally, ignoring a suspect's absence, even if there are justifiable reasons for it, is not in line with judicial protocol as it could encourage further defaults and disrupt the legal process. The revocation of bail is a clear and direct consequence that underscores the seriousness of the court's expectations regarding attendance and compliance with legal obligations.