Which statement about bond forfeiture and appearances is true?

Which statement about bond forfeiture and appearances is true?

• A. Docket call is when the court determines if all the prospective jurors appeared.
• B. If a mistrial is declared, the case must be tried within two days.
• C. When a defendant who has a bond filed with the court fails to appear, the prosecutor can request the court forfeit the bond.
• D. If a jury finds a defendant not guilty, the defendant is still liable for the costs of the trial.

Answer: (C)

When a defendant posts bond, the purpose is to ensure they show up for all required court appearances. If they fail to appear, the bond can be forfeited as a consequence of that non-appearance. The prosecutor handles the action of requesting the court to declare the bond forfeited. Once forfeited, the defendant can be arrested on a capias, and the bond amount is delivered to the court (by the surety or the cash posted, depending on the bond type). The forfeiture mechanism reinforces accountability for missing appearances and protects the judicial process by ensuring there’s a financial consequence for not showing up. If the defendant later appears or the case is resolved in some other way, the bond can be exonerated and the funds returned or released accordingly.

When a defendant posts bond, the purpose is to ensure they show up for all required court appearances. If they fail to appear, the bond can be forfeited as a consequence of that non-appearance. The prosecutor handles the action of requesting the court to declare the bond forfeited. Once forfeited, the defendant can be arrested on a capias, and the bond amount is delivered to the court (by the surety or the cash posted, depending on the bond type). The forfeiture mechanism reinforces accountability for missing appearances and protects the judicial process by ensuring there’s a financial consequence for not showing up. If the defendant later appears or the case is resolved in some other way, the bond can be exonerated and the funds returned or released accordingly.