This bill amends Code of Criminal Procedure Article 334 to enhance the notification process for warrants of arrest. It specifies that after a warrant is issued, the clerk of court must send a notice to the prosecuting attorney within sixty days of the defendant's failure to appear. The notice will also be sent to the defendant, bail agent or bondsman, and personal surety via mail or electronic means. Additionally, if the commercial surety has opted for electronic notification by filing a "Notice of Electronic Notification Opt In" form, the notice will be sent electronically to them as well.
The bill also clarifies that all notices must be sent to the addresses provided in accordance with Article 329 or those registered with the Department of Insurance. It mandates that the notice to the commercial surety must include the power of attorney number associated with the bail undertaking, although failure to include this number will not invalidate the judgment. Importantly, if the clerk fails to send the required notice to the commercial surety and the agent or bondsman who opted into electronic notification within the specified timeframe, the surety will be released from all obligations under the bail undertaking.