Probation bonds.

Existing law authorizes the court to grant probation, as defined, to certain persons convicted of a crime. Persons placed on probation by a court are under the supervision of the county probation officer who determines both the level and type of supervision consistent with the court-ordered conditions of probation. Existing law also provides that if, at any time during the probationary period, the court has reason to believe that the probationer is violating any term or condition of his or her probation, the court may modify, revoke, or terminate the probation. This bill would provide, in addition, that in lieu of revoking probation, the court, as a condition for continuing a defendant's probation, may order the defendant to post a bond from a licensed surety not to exceed $10,000 if the defendant was convicted of a misdemeanor and not to exceed $25,000 if the defendant was convicted of a felony, to secure compliance with any or all of the terms and conditions of probation. The bill would require the court, within 10 days of noncompliance with the terms of probation after a bond has been posted, to notify the defendant, the surety, and the bail agent of the probation revocation hearing. The bill would require the court to declare the bond forfeited if the defendant does not appear at the hearing. The bill would provide that, in lieu of forfeiture, the bond may be reinstated, as provided. In the case of forfeiture, this bill would require that the surety be notified within 30 days of the forfeiture. If the defendant is returned to custody within 180 days, this bill would require that the bond be exonerated.