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California legal term

Bail fugitive in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “Bail fugitive” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.

What does “Bail fugitive” mean in California criminal law?

“Bail fugitive” means a defendant in a pending criminal case who has been released from custody under a financially secured appearance, cash, or other bond and has had that bond declared forfeited, or a defendant in a pending criminal case who has violated a bond condition whereby apprehension and reincarceration are permitted. (Cal. Penal Code § 1299.01)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.