What happens if an inmate fails to appear in court?

When an inmate fails to appear in court, the typical legal consequence is that the bond is forfeited. This means that any bond that was posted to secure the inmate's release is no longer valid, and this amount might be surrendered to the court as a penalty for non-compliance with judicial proceedings. Failing to appear demonstrates a disregard for the court's authority and can lead to more severe legal ramifications, such as the issuance of a bench warrant for the inmate's arrest. This emphasizes the seriousness of court appearances and the importance of adhering to scheduled legal obligations.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the standard legal outcomes associated with failure to appear in court and lack foundational support in legal practice.