People v. Safety National Casualty Corp.

Opinion

CHIN, J.

When a defendant facing criminal charges is released on bail and fails to appear as ordered or as otherwise required and does not have a sufficient excuse, a trial court must declare the bail bond forfeited. (See Pen. Code, 1 § 1305, subd. (a) (section 1305(a).) A defendant’s required appearances include arraignment, trial, judgment, and, as relevant here, “[a]ny other occasion” where the “defendant’s presence in court is lawfully required.” (Ibid.) Though not expressly governing bail forfeitures, section 977, subdivision (b)(1) (section 977(b)(1)) provides that a felony…