Penal Code 1320 – Failure to Appear

Penal Code 1320 in California pertains to the offense of failure to appear in court after being released on one’s own recognizance or on bail. Here are the key points:

Failure to Appear:

• Penal Code 1320 makes it a crime for a person to willfully fail to appear in court when required to do so after being released on their own recognizance or on bail.

Release on Recognizance or Bail:

• This offense typically applies to individuals who have been released from custody pending their court appearances.

Willful Failure:

• The failure to appear must be willful, meaning that the individual intentionally did not appear in court as required.

Penalties:

• Penalties for violating Penal Code 1320 can include fines and additional consequences. The severity of the penalties may depend on factors such as the nature of the underlying charges.

Warrants:

• A failure to appear may result in the issuance of a warrant for the person’s arrest.