Case ID: so2d_526/html/0736-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "COWART, Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In re Juan Alvera SANTACRUZ and Maria DelCarmen Santacruz. AMERICAN BANKERS INSURANCE COMPANY, et al., Appellants, v. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Florida, Appellee.
    No. 87-2211.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.
    May 26, 1988.
    Rehearing Denied June 14, 1988.
    
      Stuart I. Hyman of NeJame & Hyman, P.A., Orlando, for appellants.
    No appearance for appellee.
    
    
      
      . This case illustrates a procedural problem that the legislature should address by statute or the supreme court should provide for by rule. A criminal appearance bond forfeiture controversy commences in a criminal court with two parties: the State and a defendant, with the State represented by the State Attorney. Somewhere along the way a metamorphosis occurs. By the time the matter is decided on appeal, the county (or municipality), as the beneficiary of the forfeited bond proceeds (§§ 903.26(3)(a) and (b), Fla.Stat.), is the real party in interest on one side and a bondsman or surety company is the real party in interest on the other side. Neither the State Attorney nor the Attc. ney General represents the county (or municipality); section 903.28, Florida Statutes, merely requires notice be given the County Attorney and State Attorney of hearings on motions for remission of forfeiture. While not a very satisfactory answer, it probably can be said that by filing a motion for remission of forfeiture or other relief, the bondsman or surety company submits themselves to the jurisdiction of the court. When and how does the trial court and the appellate court gain jurisdiction over the county so as to make an adjudication legally binding on the county?
    
   COWART, Judge.

After they were arrested and charged with committing criminal offenses, Juan Alvera Santaeruz and Maria DelCarmen Santacruz obtained release from custody pursuant to surety bonds written by appellant American Bankers Insurance Company. These defendants failed to appear for trial, and their surety bonds were estreat-ed. After receiving numerous stays to enable it to locate the defendants, American notified the trial court that both defendants were in Columbia, S.A.; Juan was incarcerated there. The State Attorney was either unable or unwilling to initiate extradition proceedings. The trial court entered a judgment of forfeiture of the surety bail bonds, and denied American’s motion to set aside the judgment of forfeiture. See § 903.27(5), Fla.Stat. American appeals. We affirm.

In writing the bail bonds, American obligated itself to insure that the defendants would appear for trial as ordered. The defendants failed to appear at trial. American urges that it should be relieved from its obligation under the bail bonds because the State Attorney has not extradited the defendants. We reject this argument, and agree with the Second District Court of Appeal in Pinellas County v. Robertson, 490 So.2d 1041, 1043 (Fla. 2d DCA 1986), wherein it was stated:

[t]he fact that [the principal’s] presence may subsequently be obtained through extradition cannot eliminate the prejudice to the state which must be presumed as a result of the delay in bringing him to trial. Since the surety failed to perform its obligation, it must be held liable upon its undertaking.

See also Public Service Mutual Insurance Co. v. State, 135 So.2d 777 (Fla. 1st DCA 1961). The appealed judgment of forfeiture is

AFFIRMED.

DAUKSCH and COBB, JJ., concur. 
      
      . Contrary to American’s argument, it lost its chance to seek remission of the forfeiture of the bonds under section 903.28, Florida Statutes, as the forfeitures had already been reduced to judgment. See Resolute Insurance Co. v. State For Use and Benefit of Dade County, 289 So.2d 456 (Fla. 3d DCA 1974).