The Washington Court of Appeals has held that defendants who fail to appear for trial can have their bail money forfeited. The court found that the state has a legitimate interest in deterring defendants from skipping trial, and that forfeiting bail money is an effective way to do so.
The case involved Jose Navarro, who was charged with first-degree robbery. Navarro posted $50,000 bail and was released from custody. However, he failed to appear for trial. The state filed a motion to forfeit Navarro’s bail, arguing that he had forfeited his right to the money by failing to appear. Navarro argued that the state could not forfeit his bail because he had not actually fled the jurisdiction.
The trial court granted the state’s motion, and Navarro appealed. The Washington Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s decision, holding that the state can forfeit bail posted by defendants who fail to appear for trial. The court reasoned that the state has a legitimate interest in ensuring that defendants appear for trial, and that forfeiting bail money is an effective way to do so. The court also noted that the state is not required to prove that the defendant actually fled the jurisdiction in order to forfeit bail.
The decision in State v. Navarro is a significant victory for the state. It ensures that the state can forfeit bail money posted by defendants who fail to appear for trial, even if the defendants do not actually flee the jurisdiction. This is an important principle that will help to deter defendants from skipping trial and evading justice.
The decision is also significant because it clarifies the law on the forfeiture of bail in Washington. The decision makes it clear that the state can forfeit bail posted by defendants who fail to appear for trial, even if the defendants do not actually flee the jurisdiction. This is an important change that will make it easier for the state to forfeit bail in these cases.
https://casetext.com/case/state-v-navarro-7
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