California Bail: Failure to Appear, Surrender & Fugitives
Failure to Appear, Surrender & Fugitives: What are the laws? What is allowable for bail bondsmen in California? The following bail bond regulations and laws are taken from Title 10, Article 2 of the California Code of Regulations and the California Insurance Code (sections relevant to the undertaking of bail). Tonya Page Bail Bonds is not responsible for omissions or errors, for further clarification, please visit my online privacy policy statement.
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Affidavit for surrender |
Penal |
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Apprehend; detain; arrest; bail fugitive; authorized by |
Penal |
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Arrest of defendant for purpose of surrender |
Penal |
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Arrest; defendant in any county |
Penal |
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Arrest; felony; county |
Penal |
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Arrestee; surrender to custody; return of premiums |
Title 10 |
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Bail release; willful failure to appear |
Penal |
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Bench warrant; failure to appear; situations |
Penal |
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Bench warrant; issuance |
Penal |
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Case; continuance; failure to appear without excuse |
Penal |
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Commitment for non appearance for judgment |
Penal |
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Continuance of case; FTA; not sufficient excuse |
Penal |
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Extension of 180-day period; motion |
Penal |
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Failure to appear without sufficient excuse |
Penal |
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Failure to appear; bench warrant; issuance |
Penal |
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Failure to appear; bench warrant; situations |
Penal |
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Failure to appear; issuance of bench warrant |
Penal |
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Failure to appear; release on own recognizance |
Penal |
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Failure to appear; willful; release on bail |
Penal |
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Method of surrender; who may make/take |
Penal |
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Nonappearance for judgment upon conviction |
Penal |
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Premiums; return; upon surrender of arrestee |
Title 10 |
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Pretrial release; failure to appear |
Penal |
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Release on bail; willful failure to appear |
Penal |
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Release pretrial; failure to appear |
Penal |
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Return of premiums; surrender of arrestee to custody |
Title 10 |
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Service of bench warrant; non-capitol offense |
Penal |
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Surrender; arrest for purpose |
Penal |
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Warrant; bench; issuance |
Penal |
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Willful failure to appear; release on bail |
Penal |
Affidavit for surrender
Penal 1300(a)
1300. (a) At any time before the forfeiture of their undertaking,
or deposit by a third person, the bail or the depositor may surrender
the defendant in their exoneration, or he may surrender himself, to
the officer to whose custody he was committed at the time of giving
bail, in the following manner:
(1) A certified copy of the undertaking of the bail, a certified
copy of the certificate of deposit where a deposit is made, or an
affidavit given by the bail licensee or surety company listing all
that specific information that would be included on a certified copy
of an undertaking of bail, must be delivered to the officer who must
detain the defendant in his custody thereon as upon a commitment, and
by a certificate in writing acknowledge the surrender.
(2) The bail or depositor, upon surrendering the defendant, shall
make reasonable effort to give notice to the defendant’s last
attorney of record, if any, of such surrender.
(3) The officer to whom the defendant is surrendered shall, within
48 hours of the surrender, bring the defendant before the court in
which the defendant is next to appear on the case for which he has
been surrendered. The court shall advise the defendant of his right
to move the court for an order permitting the withdrawal of any
previous waiver of time and shall advise him of the authority of the
court, as provided in subdivision (b), to order return of the premium
paid by the defendant or other person, or any part of it.
(4) Upon the undertaking, or certificate of deposit, and the
certificate of the officer, the court in which the action or appeal
is pending may, upon notice of five days to the district attorney of
the county, with a copy of the undertaking, or certificate of
deposit, and the certificate of the officer, order that the bail or
deposit be exonerated. However, if the defendant is released on his
own recognizance or on another bond before the issuance of such an
order, the court shall order that the bail or deposit be exonerated
without prejudice to the court’s authority under subdivision (b). On
filing the order and papers used on the application, they are
exonerated accordingly.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if the court determines that
good cause does not exist for the surrender of a defendant who has
not failed to appear or has not violated any order of the court, it
may, in its discretion, order the bail or the depositor to return to
the defendant or other person who has paid the premium or any part of
it, all of the money so paid or any part of it.
Apprehend; detain; arrest; bail fugitive; authorized by
Penal 1299.02
See also Fugitive Recovery
1299.02. (a) No person, other than a certified law enforcement officer, shall be authorized to apprehend, detain, or arrest a bail fugitive unless that person meets one of the following conditions: (1) Is a bail as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1299.01 or a depositor of bail as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 1299.01.
Arrest of defendant for purpose of surrender
Penal 1301
See also Fugitive Recovery
1301. For the purpose of surrendering the defendant, the bail or any person who has deposited money or bonds to secure the release of the defendant, at any time before such bail or other person is finally discharged, and at any place within the state, may himself arrest defendant, or by written authority indorsed on a certified copy of the undertaking or a certified copy of the certificate of deposit, may empower any person of suitable age to do so. Any bail or other person who so arrests a defendant in this state shall, without unnecessary delay, and, in any event, within 48 hours of the arrest, deliver the defendant to the court or magistrate before whom the defendant is required to appear or to the custody of the sheriff or police for confinement in the appropriate jail in the county or city in which defendant is required to appear. Any bail or other person who arrests a defendant outside this state shall, without unnecessary delay after the time defendant is brought into this state, and, in any event, within 48 hours after defendant is brought into this state, deliver the defendant to the custody of the court or magistrate before whom the defendant is required to appear or to the custody of the sheriff or police for confinement in the appropriate jail in the county or city in which defendant is required to appear. Any bail or other person who willfully fails to deliver a defendant to the court, magistrate, sheriff, or police as required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. The provisions of this section relating to the time of delivery of a defendant are for his benefit and, with the consent of the bail, may be waived by him. To be valid, such waiver shall be in writing, signed by the defendant, and delivered to such bail or other person within 48 hours after the defendant’s arrest or entry into this state, as the case may be. The defendant, at any time and in the same manner, may revoke said waiver. Whereupon, he shall be delivered as provided herein without unnecessary delay and, in any event within 48 hours from the time of such revocation. If any 48-hour period specified in this section terminates on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, delivery of a defendant by a bail or other person to the court or magistrate or to the custody of the sheriff or police may, without violating this section, take place before noon on the next day following which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday.
Arrest; defendant in any county
Penal 1312
See also Fugitive Recovery
1312. The defendant may be arrested pursuant to the order, upon a certified copy thereof, in any county, in the same manner as upon a warrant of arrest, except that when arrested in another county the order need not be indorsed by a magistrate of that county.
Arrest; felony; county
Penal 821
See also Fugitive Recovery
821. If the offense charged is a felony, and the arrest occurs in the county in which the warrant was issued, the officer making the arrest must take the defendant before the magistrate who issued the warrant or some other magistrate of the same county. If the defendant is arrested in another county, the officer must, without unnecessary delay, inform the defendant in writing of his right to be taken before a magistrate in that county, note on the warrant that he has so informed defendant, and, upon being required by defendant, take him before a magistrate in that county, who must admit him to bail in the amount specified in the endorsement referred to in Section 815a, and direct the defendant to appear before the court or magistrate by whom the warrant was issued on or before a day certain which shall in no case be more than 25 days after such admittance to bail. If bail be forthwith given, the magistrate shall take the same and endorse thereon a memorandum of the aforesaid order for the appearance of the defendant, or, if the defendant so requires, he may be released on bail set on the warrant by the issuing court, as provided in Section 1269b of this code, without an appearance before a magistrate. If the warrant on which the defendant is arrested in another county does not have bail set thereon, or if the defendant arrested in another county does not require the arresting officer to take him before a magistrate in that county for the purpose of being admitted to bail, or if such defendant, after being admitted to bail, does not forthwith give bail, the arresting officer shall immediately notify the law enforcement agency requesting the arrest in the county in which the warrant was issued that such defendant is in custody, and thereafter such law enforcement agency shall take custody of the defendant within five days, or five court days if the law enforcement agency requesting the arrest is more than 400 miles from the county in which the defendant is held in custody, in the county in which he was arrested and shall take such defendant before the magistrate who issued the warrant, or before some other magistrate of the same county.
Arrestee; surrender to custody; return of premiums
Title 10 2090
See also Unlawful or Prohibited
2090. Surrender of Arrestee to Custody; Return of Premiums
No bail licensee shall surrender an arrestee to custody prior to the time specified in the
undertaking of bail or the bail bond for the appearance of the arrestee, or prior to any
other occasion when the presence of the arrestee in court is lawfully required, without
returning all premium paid for such undertaking or bond; except that when as the result of judicial action, information concealed or misrepresented by the arrestee or other
reasonable cause, any one of which was material to the hazard assumed, and the
licensee can show that the hazard was substantially increased, then the bail licensee
may retain incurred out of pocket expenses permitted to be charged by Section 2081
(c) and (d). The surrender of an arrestee who is again in custody for an offense for
which a penalty greater than that for the original offense may not be imposed, or his
surrender at the request of the guarantor shall never, in and of themselves, be
considered to be reasonable cause for surrender, and in case of any surrender under
such circumstances, and no actual and substantial increase in hazard can be shown by
the licensee, all premiums received and incurred expenses shall be returned.
Compliance with an Order of the Court made pursuant to Section 1300(b) of the Penal
Code shall be in compliance with this Section; and a licensee at the time of any
surrender of an arrestee prior to the time specified in the undertaking of bail shall
inform such arrestee of his rights under said Section 1300(b) to petition the Court for a
ruling as to return of premium.
Bail release; willful failure to appear
Penal 1320.5
1320.5. Every person who is charged with or convicted of the commission of a felony, who is released from custody on bail, and who in order to evade the process of the court willfully fails to appear as required, is guilty of a felony. Upon a conviction under this section, the person shall be punished by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or by imprisonment in the state prison, or in the county jail for not more than one year, or by both the fine and imprisonment. Willful failure to appear within 14 days of the date assigned for appearance may be found to have been for the purpose of evading the process of the court.
Bench warrant; failure to appear; situations
Penal 978.5
978.5. (a) A bench warrant of arrest may be issued whenever a defendant fails to appear in court as required by law including, but not limited to, the following situations: (1) If the defendant is ordered by a judge or magistrate to personally appear in court at a specific time and place. (2) If the defendant is released from custody on bail and is ordered by a judge or magistrate, or other person authorized to accept bail, to personally appear in court at a specific time and place. (3) If the defendant is released from custody on his own recognizance and promises to personally appear in court at a specific time and place. (4) If the defendant is released from custody or arrest upon citation by a peace officer or other person authorized to issue citations and the defendant has signed a promise to personally appear in court at a specific time and place. (5) If a defendant is authorized to appear by counsel and the court or magistrate orders that the defendant personally appear in court at a specific time and place. (6) If an information or indictment has been filed in the superior court and the court has fixed the date and place for the defendant personally to appear for arraignment. (b) The bench warrant may be served in any county in the same manner as a warrant of arrest.
Bench warrant; issuance
Penal 1195
See also Forfeiture of Summary Judgment
1195. If the defendant has been released on bail, or has deposited money or property instead thereof, and does not appear for judgment when his personal appearance is necessary, the court, in addition to the forfeiture of the undertaking of bail, or of the money or property deposited, must, on application of the prosecuting attorney, direct the issuance of a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant. If the defendant, who is on bail, does appear for judgment and judgment is pronounced upon him or probation is granted to him, then the bail shall be exonerated or, if money or property has been deposited instead of bail, it must be returned to the defendant or to the person or persons found by the court to have deposited said money or property on behalf of said defendant.
Case; continuance; failure to appear without excuse
Penal 1305.1
1305.1. If the defendant fails to appear for arraignment, trial, judgment, or upon any other occasion when his or her appearance is lawfully required, but the court has reason to believe that sufficient excuse may exist for the failure to appear, the court may continue the case for a period it deems reasonable to enable the defendant to appear without ordering a forfeiture of bail or issuing a bench warrant. If, after the court has made the order, the defendant, without sufficient excuse, fails to appear on or before the continuance date set by the court, the bail shall be forfeited and a warrant for the defendant’s arrest may be ordered issued.
Commitment for non appearance for judgment
Penal 1313
See also Miscellaneous Bail Laws
1313. If the order recites, as the ground upon which it is made, the failure of the defendant to appear for judgment upon conviction, the defendant must be committed according to the requirement of the order.
Defendant; recommitment; what cases
Penal 1310
1310. The court to which the committing magistrate returns the depositions, or in which an indictment, information, or appeal is pending, or to which a judgment on appeal is remitted to be carried into effect, may, by an order entered upon its minutes, direct the arrest of the defendant and his or her commitment to the officer to whose custody he or she was committed at the time of giving bail, and his or her detention until legally discharged, in the following cases: (a) When, by reason of his or her failure to appear, he or she has incurred a forfeiture of his or her bail, or of money deposited instead thereof. (b) When it satisfactorily appears to the court that his or her bail, or either of them, are dead or insufficient, or have removed from the state. (c) Upon an indictment being found or information filed in the cases provided in Section 985.
Extension of 180-day period; motion
Penal 1305.4
1305.4. Notwithstanding Section 1305, the surety insurer, the bail agent, the surety, or the depositor may file a motion, based upon good cause, for an order extending the 180-day period provided in that section. The motion shall include a declaration or affidavit that states the reasons showing good cause to extend that period. The court, upon a hearing and a showing of good cause, may order the period extended to a time not exceeding 180 days from its order. A motion may be filed and calendared as provided in subdivision (i) of Section 1305.
(c) of Section 667.5, but not including a violation of subdivision (a) of Section 460 (residential burglary). (2) A violation of Section 136.1 where punishment is imposed pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 136.1, 262, 273.5, 422 where the offense is punished as a felony, or 646.9. (3) A violation of paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) of Section 243. (4) A violation of Section 273.6 if the detained person made threats to kill or harm, has engaged in violence against, or has gone to the residence or workplace of, the protected party. (b) The prosecuting attorney and defense attorney shall be given a two court-day written notice and an opportunity to be heard on the matter. If the detained person does not have counsel, the court shall appoint counsel for purposes of this section only. The hearing required by this section shall be held within the time period prescribed in Section 825. (c) At the hearing, the court shall consider evidence of past court appearances of the detained person, the maximum potential sentence that could be imposed, and the danger that may be posed to other persons if the detained person is released. In making the determination whether to release the detained person on his or her own recognizance, the court shall consider the potential danger to other persons, including threats that have been made by the detained person and any past acts of violence. The court shall also consider any evidence offered by the detained person regarding his or her ties to the community and his or her ability to post bond. (d) If the judge or magistrate sets the bail in an amount that is either more or less than the amount contained in the schedule of bail for the offense, the judge or magistrate shall state the reasons for that decision and shall address the issue of threats made against the victim or witness, if they were made, in the record. This statement shall be included in the record.
Failure to appear; bench warrant; issuance
Penal 979
979. If the defendant has been discharged on bail or has deposited money or other property instead thereof, and does not appear to be arraigned when his personal presence is necessary, the court, in addition to the forfeiture of the undertaking of bail or of the money or other property deposited, may order the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.
Failure to appear; release on own recognizance
Penal 1320
See also Court Responsibilities
1320. (a) Every person who is charged with or convicted of the commission of a misdemeanor who is released from custody on his or her own recognizance and who in order to evade the process of the court willfully fails to appear as required, is guilty of a misdemeanor. It shall be presumed that a defendant who willfully fails to appear within 14 days of the date assigned for his or her appearance intended to evade the process of the court. (b) Every person who is charged with or convicted of the commission of a felony who is released from custody on his or her own recognizance and who in order to evade the process of the court willfully fails to appear as required, is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) or by imprisonment in the state prison, or in the county jail for not more than one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment. It shall be presumed that a defendant who willfully fails to appear within 14 days of the date assigned for his or her appearance intended to evade the process of the court.
Pretrial release; failure to appear
Penal 1270.1
1270.1. (a) Before any person who is arrested for any of the following crimes may be released on bail in an amount that is either more or less than the amount contained in the schedule of bail for the offense, or may be released on his or her own recognizance, a hearing shall be held in open court before the magistrate or judge: (1) A serious felony, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 1192.7, or a violent felony, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, but not including a violation of subdivision (a) of Section 460 (residential burglary). (2) A violation of Section 136.1 where punishment is imposed pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 136.1, 262, 273.5, 422 where the offense is punished as a felony, or 646.9. (3) A violation of paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) of Section 243. (4) A violation of Section 273.6 if the detained person made threats to kill or harm, has engaged in violence against, or has gone to the residence or workplace of, the protected party. (b) The prosecuting attorney and defense attorney shall be given a two court-day written notice and an opportunity to be heard on the matter. If the detained person does not have counsel, the court shall appoint counsel for purposes of this section only. The hearing required by this section shall be held within the time period prescribed in Section 825. (c) At the hearing, the court shall consider evidence of past court appearances of the detained person, the maximum potential sentence that could be imposed, and the danger that may be posed to other persons if the detained person is released. In making the determination whether to release the detained person on his or her own recognizance, the court shall consider the potential danger to other persons, including threats that have been made by the detained person and any past acts of violence. The court shall also consider any evidence offered by the detained person regarding his or her ties to the community and his or her ability to post bond. (d) If the judge or magistrate sets the bail in an amount that is either more or less than the amount contained in the schedule of bail for the offense, the judge or magistrate shall state the reasons for that decision and shall address the issue of threats made against the victim or witness, if they were made, in the record. This statement shall be included in the record.
Service of bench warrant; non-capitol offense
Penal 1284
1284. When the offense charged is not punishable with death, the officer serving the bench warrant must, if required, take the defendant before a magistrate in the county in which it is issued, or in which he is arrested, for the purpose of giving bail. If the defendant appears before such magistrate without the bench warrant having been served upon him, the magistrate shall deliver him into the custody of the sheriff for the purpose of immediate booking and the recording of identification data, whereupon the sheriff shall deliver the defendant back before the magistrate for the purpose of giving bail.
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Updated: 08/12/2012