State v. Banuelos

— It is within the trial court’s discretion to order forfeiture of cash bail where the defendant, an alien who does not have legal status in the United States, fails to inform the prosecutor of an impending Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) action, is deported while released on bail, and therefore does not attend the hearing for which bail is intended to guarantee her appearance.

Facts

Guillermina Banuelos was charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance and one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. At Banuelos’ arraignment the Skagit…