Help With a Bail Forfeiture

**senor pablo** · 06-27-2006, 02:25 PM

Hi
here's the deal- would love some help:

Got nabbed at a hardware store in WA.- Whatcom County, $12 item...
paid $124 on the spot to clear up the civil end of things... signed a trespass agreement, then cop came and gave me a ticket.

on the ticket NEITHER mandatory appearance was checked OR Bail Forfeiture, but he wrote a court date, and wrote $500 in the BF spot and said take your pick.

I went to the arraignment and plead not guilty, and applied for a public defender. In Washington there is no deferment program, and the PD at the courtroom said it is not likely to get a civil compromise from the store.

I asked the PD about the Bail Forfeiture option- whether is goes "on my record" like for filling out job applications and so forth and she said it's "not really a conviction and it's not really NOT a conviction..."
I even asked the judge when I appealed for a PD, and she said SHE didn't know if a BF on a misdemeanor meant a conviction or not...

I am approved for a PD, but will have to pay $200. the typical fine for this offense is $300. the Prosecutor's offer was $300, no probation, and 6 hours community service- and it goes on my record forever.

so what should I do? just go pay the $500 and save myself a bunch of time and court appearances? or pay the $200 for a PD and go to court and try to bargain this off my record?
( I also have a MIP from 10 years ago, and a noise violation from 6 years ago)

ANY info about a "bail forfeiture" or "bond forfeiture" would be welcome.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!

**Mr. Knowitall** · 06-27-2006, 03:06 PM

I've never heard of a bond forfeiture resolving a criminal case - it usually means that you forfeit the bond and end up with a bench warrant for your arrest (and when you're finally picked up, you may spend some time in jail before you can be brought before the court on the bench warrant, and then you get prosecuted for the offense). So make sure that Washington truly does have a system where you can forfeit your bond and somehow escape the criminal justice system; I'm skeptical.

**senor pablo** · 06-27-2006, 11:51 PM

so still,
if the judge said it was an option- with out even coming back to court even...., what's up? she would have told me if I would get arrested again. she's a good judge. I voted for her.

do I hire a private lawer(s)? and ask them or does anyone else know about WA law to tell m what my options are...

or pay $200 for a PD?

OR FORK over the $500 to end it all...(if thats an option)

sorry I'm anxious only about a month till my date...
speedy trial and all...
thanks for any help! (FREE OF CHARGE)

**Mr. Knowitall** · 06-28-2006, 03:47 AM

I would suggest speaking with one or two local criminal defense lawyers, to clarify exactly what would happen under your state's laws.

**senor pablo** · 07-15-2006, 06:17 AM

So it's all over...
I talked to a lawyer for free. she was a public defender from another county.
she said that a BF is not TECHNICALLY a conviction. so on an application and so forth, I can honestly put that I have never been convicted.
Although it's expensive, it keeps me from having to go in and out of court all summer and have this rat hanging around my neck.

the fact is, that even if I didn't do it- or if someone got arrested and used my ID to give to the cop, there is NO way it will not go on my record. guilty, not guilty or BF- even dismissed, it is on my record.
so the short of it...

IF you did the crime, and they have evidence such as video, or a vigilant LP officer, you might as well save yourself the time of multiple court dates trying to fight it, or reduce it...and just pay the frickin' $500 for a BF and be done with it.

Be good for 2 years, and then you can apply with a lawyers guidance to get it wiped from your records, in the court.

LESSON:
don't steal. it's not worth it. ($12 item = $624!!!!)
if you are going to steal, make damn sure you don't get caught.
this can effect EVERYTHING in your life, so ask yourself- "Is it WORTH it?)

**Mr. Knowitall** · 07-15-2006, 10:15 AM

Quoting senor pablo

IF you did the crime, and they have evidence such as video, or a vigilant LP officer, you might as well save yourself the time of multiple court dates trying to fight it, or reduce it...and just pay the frickin' $500 for a BF and be done with it.

That would be in Washington, and even then people should still consult lawyers before assuming this will be true in their cases.