ARTICLE 9. Procedure Relating to Release on Own Recognizance [1318. - 1319.5.]

Cal. Penal Code - PEN 9.

in effect

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 1318. Section 1318.

(a) The defendant shall not be released from custody under an own recognizance until the defendant files with the clerk of the court or other person authorized to accept bail a signed release agreement which includes: (1) The defendant’s promise to appear at all times and places, as ordered by the court or magistrate and as ordered by any court in which, or any magistrate before whom the charge is subsequently pending. (2) The defendant’s promise to obey all reasonable conditions imposed by the court or magistrate. (3) The defendant’s promise not to depart this state without leave of the court. (4) Agreement by the defendant to waive extradition if the defendant fails to appear as required and is apprehended outside of the State of California. (5) The acknowledgment of the defendant that he or she has been informed of the consequences and penalties applicable to violation of the conditions of release.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 1318.1. Section 1318.1.

(a) A court, with the concurrence of the board of supervisors, may employ an investigative staff for the purpose of recommending whether a defendant should be released on his or her own recognizance. (b) Whenever a court has employed an investigative staff pursuant to subdivision (a), an investigative report shall be prepared in all cases involving a violent felony, as described in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, or a felony in violation of subdivision (a) of Section 23153 of the Vehicle Code, recommending whether the defendant should be released on his or her own recognizance. The report shall include all of the following: (1) Written verification of any outstanding warrants against the defendant. (2) Written verification of any prior incidents where the defendant has failed to make a court appearance. (3) Written verification of the criminal record of the defendant. (4) Written verification of the residence of the defendant during the past year. After the report is certified pursuant to this subdivision, it shall be submitted to the court for review, prior to a hearing held pursuant to Section 1319. (c) The salaries of the staff are a proper charge against the county.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 1319. Section 1319.

(a) No person arrested for a violent felony, as described in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, may be released on his or her own recognizance until a hearing is held in open court before the magistrate or judge, and until the prosecuting attorney is given notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard on the matter. In all cases, these provisions shall be implemented in a manner consistent with the defendant’s right to be taken before a magistrate or judge without unreasonable delay pursuant to Section 825. (b) A defendant charged with a violent felony, as described in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5, shall not be released on his or her own recognizance where it appears, by clear and convincing evidence, that he or she previously has been charged with a felony offense and has willfully and without excuse from the court failed to appear in court as required while that charge was pending. In all other cases, in making the determination as to whether or not to grant release under this section, the court shall consider all of the following: (1) The existence of any outstanding felony warrants on the defendant. (2) Any other information presented in the report prepared pursuant to Section 1318.1. The fact that the court has not received the report required by Section 1318.1, at the time of the hearing to decide whether to release the defendant on his or her own recognizance, shall not preclude that release. (3) Any other information presented by the prosecuting attorney. (c) The judge or magistrate who, pursuant to this section, grants or denies release on a person’s own recognizance, within the time period prescribed in Section 825, shall state the reasons for that decision in the record. This statement shall be included in the court’s minutes. The report prepared by the investigative staff pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1318.1 shall be placed in the court file for that particular matter.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 1319.5. Section 1319.5.

(a) A person described in subdivision (b) who is arrested for a new offense shall not be released on his or her own recognizance until a hearing is held in open court before the magistrate or judge. (b) Subdivision (a) shall apply to the following: (1) Any person who is currently on felony probation or felony parole. (2) Any person who has failed to appear in court as ordered, resulting in a warrant being issued, three or more times over the three years preceding the current arrest, except for infractions arising from violations of the Vehicle Code, and who is arrested for any of the following offenses: (A) Any violation of the California Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act (Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 186.20) of Title 7 of Part 1). (B) Any violation of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 240) of Title 8 of Part 1 (assault and battery). (C) A violation of Section 459 (residential burglary). (D) Any offense in which the defendant is alleged to have been armed with or to have personally used a firearm. (E) Any offense involving domestic violence. (F) Any offense in which the defendant is alleged to have caused great bodily injury to another person. (G) Any other felony offense not described in subparagraphs (A) through (F), inclusive, unless the person is released pursuant to a court-operated pretrial release program or a pretrial release program with approval by the court, in which case subdivision (a) shall not apply. (c) This section does not change the requirement under Section 1270.1 to hold a hearing in open court before the magistrate or judge in cases in which the person has been arrested for an offense specified in that section. (d) This section does not alter or diminish the rights conferred under Section 28 of Article I of the California Constitution (Marsy’s Law).

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026