In rare cases, criminal proceedings and trials will exceed one year in duration from the time of being bonded out. In those situations, defendants and/or their cosigners will need to pay an additional bail bonds premium in order for the defendant to remain out on bail. If a defendant or their attorney believe the trial will exceed one year, it is helpful to contact the court to request a bail reduction. This will in turn lower the bail bondsman's premium fee. This is often done one to two months prior to the 12 month mark of a bail bond.