People v. Ranger Ins. Co.

John Nicholas Tautu pled no contest to two counts of burglary. He failed to appear for sentencing, and the court ordered his bail forfeited. Ranger Insurance Company (Ranger) appeals from the subsequent order of the court denying its motion to vacate the forfeiture of the bail bond. Ranger argues that the order of forfeiture should have been set aside and the bond exonerated because the court failed to make findings on whether to allow defendant to remain at liberty on bail after his conviction in accordance with amended Penal Code section 1166. [1] Because section 1166 does not apply to cases resolved by plea, it does not apply to this case. Accordingly, we affirm.

Tautu was charged with burglary, forgery and related offenses. The court released Tautu after Ranger posted a bail bond of $100,000. He subsequently pled no contest to two counts of burglary. The negotiated, conditional plea contemplated that Tautu would be placed on probation, pay various costs, and serve 60 days in jail "as a term and condition of his felony probation at a later time at which he will surrender." The court accepted the plea, dismissed the remaining charges and set the matter for…