When a person signs a written promise to appear at the time and place specified in the written promise to appear and has not posted bail as provided in Section 853.6, the magistrate shall issue and have delivered for execution a warrant for his or her arrest within 20 days after his or her failure to appear as promised or within 20 days after his or her failure to appear after a lawfully granted continuance of his or her promise to appear.

(Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 403, Sec. 3.)

Terms Used In California Penal Code 853.8

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
  • magistrate: signifies any one of the officers mentioned in Section 808. See California Penal Code 7
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See California Penal Code 7