California · Penal Code

PEN §1196: (a) The clerk must, at any time after the order, issue a bench warrant into one or more counties.

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute governs clerk procedures for issuing bench warrants and requires entry into the national warrant system. Courts may exonerate bail bonds if failure to enter the warrant prevented apprehension or custody.

Read the full statutory text

(a) The clerk must, at any time after the order, issue a bench warrant into one or more counties. (b) The clerk shall require the appropriate agency to enter each bench warrant issued on a private surety-bonded felony case into the national warrant system (National Crime Information Center (NCIC)). If the appropriate agency fails to enter the bench warrant into the national warrant system (NCIC), and the court finds that this failure prevented the surety or bond agent from surrendering the fugitive into custody, prevented the fugitive from being arrested or taken into custody, or resulted in the fugitive’s subsequent release from custody, the court having jurisdiction over the bail shall, upon petition, set aside the forfeiture of the bond and declare all liability on the bail bond to be exonerated.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.