Bill > S702

This bill introduces several modifications to laws governing bail bonds in North Carolina, focusing on improving procedural clarity and expanding operational guidelines. The bill expands the definition of a defendant's "address of record" to include multiple potential addresses, such as those on bail bonds, court records, or provided by the defendant or others with knowledge of their residence. It extends the validity of bail bonds to a maximum of three years and requires sureties to notify the district attorney 30 days before bond expiration to be released from their obligation. The bill adds new circumstances under which a bail bond obligation can be terminated, including when a prosecutor dismisses a case with leave or when a court grants a motion to set aside bond forfeiture. Additionally, the legislation mandates that district attorneys submit information about defendants who fail to appear in court to the National Crime Information Center within 10 days, enhances electronic filing procedures for bail bond-related documents, and explicitly prohibits electronic systems from acting as bondsmen. The bill also ensures that licensed bondsmen have access to real-time criminal record search systems and introduces a new definition of "residential address" for defendants. The provisions will take effect on October 1, 2025, and apply to motions, orders, and notices from that date forward.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S702