Bail: released of all obligations if no complaint filed within 15 days of arraignment
15 days after date of arraignment (date originally set by the jailer under 1269b(a)), under Cal. Pen. Code 1305(a)(2)(A).
Rule text
(2) (A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), except as provided in subparagraph (B), the court shall not have jurisdiction to declare a forfeiture and the bail shall be released of all obligations under the bond if the case is dismissed or if no complaint is filed within 15 days from the date of arraignment.
Calculate this deadline
- Trigger (Date of arraignment (date originally set by the jailer under 1269b(a))): Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Exclude the trigger day and count 15 calendar days: Saturday, November 21, 2026.
- That day is a Saturday, so the deadline moves to the next court day: Monday, November 23, 2026 (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 10; Gov. Code 6800, 6804, 6806; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10 (for periods set by the Rules of Court)).
Cal. Pen. Code 1305(a)(2)(A)
(2) (A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), except as provided in subparagraph (B), the court shall not have jurisdiction to declare a forfeiture and the bail shall be released of all obligations under the bond if the case is dismissed or if no complaint is filed within 15 days from the date of arraignment.Official source
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 12, 12a, 10; Gov. Code 6800, 6804, 6806; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.10 (for periods set by the Rules of Court)
CCP 12: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." CCP 12a: "(a) If the last day for the performance of any act provided or required by law to be performed within a specified period of time is a holiday, then that period is hereby extended to and including the next day that is not a holiday. For purposes of this section, “holiday” means all day on Saturdays, all holidays specified in Section 135 and, to the extent provided in Section 12b, all days that by terms of Section 12b are required to be considered as holidays.(b) This section applies to Sections 659, 659a, and 921, and to all other provisions of law providing or requiring an act to be performed on a particular day or within a specified period of time, whether expressed in this or any other code or statute, ordinance, rule, or regulation." CCP 10: "Holidays within the meaning of this code are every Sunday and any other days that are specified or provided for as judicial holidays in Section 135." Gov. Code 6800: "The time in which any act provided by law is to be done is computed by excluding the first day, and including the last, unless the last day is a holiday, and then it is also excluded." Gov. Code 6804: "“Month” means a calendar month, unless otherwise expressed." Gov. Code 6806: "A day is the period of time between any midnight and the midnight following." CRC 1.10(a): "The time in which any act provided by these rules is to be performed is computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, and then it is also excluded." CRC 1.10(b): "Unless otherwise provided by law, if the last day for the performance of any act that is required by these rules to be performed within a specific period of time falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, the period is extended to and includes the next day that is not a holiday."Official source
- Extendable to not more than 90 days (see bail_forfeiture_jurisdiction_extended_90_days).
- If the clerk's office is closed or inaccessible on the last day (weather, emergency or local closure orders), the deadline may be extended. Check local orders.
This calculator applies the cited rules to the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Court orders, local rules, and case-specific facts can change a deadline; verify before relying on it. Rule set pending attorney review.
Worked example
Date of arraignment (date originally set by the jailer under 1269b(a)) on Monday, March 15, 2027, personal service: due Tuesday, March 30, 2027.
- Trigger (Date of arraignment (date originally set by the jailer under 1269b(a))): Monday, March 15, 2027.
- Exclude the trigger day and count 15 calendar days: Tuesday, March 30, 2027.
Notes
Extendable to not more than 90 days (see bail_forfeiture_jurisdiction_extended_90_days).
Related deadlines
- Bail forfeiture: clerk must mail notice of forfeiture (bond over $400) within 30 days (30 days after)
- Bail forfeiture: 180-day appearance period plus 5 days for mailing (bond over $400) (185 days after)
- Bail forfeiture: 180-day appearance period when no mailed notice is required (bond $400 or less) (180 days after)
- Bail forfeiture: timely motion may be heard within 30 days after the appearance period expires (30 days after)
- Bail forfeiture motion (1305(f), (g), (j)): written notice to prosecuting agency (10 court days before)
- Motion to extend 180-day bail period (1305.4): written notice to prosecuting agency (10 court days before)
- 1305.4 extension: outer limit of extended period (180 days from extension order) (180 days after)
- Bail summary judgment: must be entered within 90 days after first date it may be entered (90 days after)
Local rules by county
County local rules and courtroom procedures can add to or change this deadline. Pick a county to calculate with them applied.
- Alameda
- Alpine
- Amador
- Butte
- Calaveras
- Colusa
- Contra Costa
- Del Norte
- El Dorado
- Fresno
- Glenn
- Humboldt
- Imperial
- Inyo
- Kern
- Kings
- Lake
- Lassen
- Los Angeles
- Madera
- Marin
- Mariposa
- Mendocino
- Merced
- Modoc
- Mono
- Monterey
- Napa
- Nevada
- Orange
- Placer
- Plumas
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Benito
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Joaquin
- San Luis Obispo
- San Mateo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Shasta
- Sierra
- Siskiyou
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Stanislaus
- Sutter
- Tehama
- Trinity
- Tulare
- Tuolumne
- Ventura
- Yolo
- Yuba
Rules current as of 2026-10-25. Confirm against the official source and any local rule or court order before relying on a date. Rules changelog.