Montana § 44-1-1102 - Procedure When Patrol Officer Accepts Bail Or Driver's License In Lieu Of Bail

§ 44-1-1102. Procedure When Patrol Officer Accepts Bail Or Driver's License In Lieu Of Bail

Procedure when patrol officer accepts bail or driver's license in lieu of bail. (1) If the patrol officer accepts bail, the patrol officer shall give a signed receipt to the offender, setting forth the amount received. The patrol officer shall then deliver the bail money to the justice of the peace before whom the offender is to appear, and the justice of the peace shall give a receipt to the patrol officer for the amount of bail money delivered. After the filing of the complaint and the appearance of the defendant, the justice of the peace shall assume jurisdiction and may set and accept further bail bond. (2) If the patrol officer accepts an unexpired driver's license in lieu of bail, the patrol officer shall give the offender a signed driving permit, in a form prescribed by the department. The permit must acknowledge the officer's acceptance of the offender's driver's license and serves as a valid temporary driving permit authorizing the operation of a motor vehicle by the offender. The permit is effective as of the date the permit is signed and remains in effect through the date of the appearance listed on the permit. The patrol officer shall deliver the driver's license to the justice of the peace before whom the offender is to appear, and the justice of the peace shall give a receipt to the patrol officer acknowledging delivery of the offender's driver's license to the court. After the filing of the complaint and the appearance of the defendant, the justice of the peace shall assume jurisdiction and may extend the date of the driving permit for a period up to 6 months from the defendant's initial appearance date. (3) The justice of the peace shall return a driver's license that has been accepted in lieu of bail to a defendant: (a) after the required bail has been posted or there has been a final determination of the charge; and (b) if the defendant pleaded guilty or was convicted, after a $25 administrative fee has been paid to the court.