People v. Bonds CA3

DISCUSSION

I The Appeal Is Properly Before This Court Respondent contends we lack jurisdiction over this appeal because the amount in controversy does not exceed $25,000. We are not persuaded. Before unification of the superior and municipal courts, a bond forfeiture ordered by the municipal court was appealed to the appellate department of the superior court and a forfeiture ordered by the superior court was appealed to the court of appeal, regardless of the amount of the bond. (Cal. Const., former art. VI, § 11; Code Civ. Proc., former §§ 77, subd. (g) [Stats. 1961, ch. 957, § 1], 904.1, & 904.2; Newman v. Superior Court of

3 Los Angeles County (1967) 67 Cal.2d 620, 621-623 [amount of bail does not determine jurisdiction of appeal relating to bail forfeiture order].) This was true despite the civil nature of bail bond forfeiture proceedings. (People v. American Contractors Indemnity Co. (2004) 33 Cal.4th 653, 657, citing People v. Wilcox (1960) 53 Cal.2d 651, 654.) In 1998, the California Constitution was amended to permit unification of the municipal and superior courts in each county into a single superior court system. (Cal. Const., former art. VI, § 5.) Civil cases…