Nevada § 178.508 - Duties of court when defendant fails to appear; procedure for issuing order of forfeiture; when forfeiture becomes effective; grounds for extending date of forfeiture

Full text of Nevada Nevada Revised Statutes § 178.508 — Duties of court when defendant fails to appear; procedure for issuing order of forfeiture; when forfeiture becomes effective; grounds for extending date of forfeiture, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 178.508. Duties of court when defendant fails to appear; procedure for issuing order of forfeiture; when forfeiture becomes effective; grounds for extending date of forfeiture

1. If the defendant fails to appear when the defendant's presence in court is lawfully

required for the commission of a misdemeanor and the failure to appear is not excused

or is lawfully required for the commission of a gross misdemeanor or felony, the court

shall: (a) Enter upon its minutes that the defendant failed to appear; (b) Not later than 14 judicial days after the date on which the defendant failed to

appear, order the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of the defendant; and (c) If the undertaking exceeds $50 or money deposited instead of bail bond exceeds

$500, direct that each surety and the local agent of each surety, or the depositor

if the depositor is not the defendant, be given notice that the defendant has failed

to appear, by certified mail or electronic transmission, receipt of delivery requested,

within 20 days after the date on which the defendant failed to appear. The court shall execute an affidavit of such mailing or electronic transmission

to be kept as an official public record of the court and shall direct that a copy

of the notice be transmitted to the prosecuting attorney at the same time that notice

is given to each surety or the depositor. 2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3 and NRS 178.509 , an order of forfeiture of any undertaking or money deposited instead of bail bond

must be prepared by the clerk of the court and signed by the court. An order of forfeiture must include the date on which the forfeiture becomes effective. The undertaking or money deposited instead of bail bond is forfeited 180 days after

the date on which the notice is mailed or electronically transmitted pursuant to subsection

1. 3. The court may extend the date of the forfeiture for any reasonable period set by

the court if the surety or depositor submits to the court: (a) An application for an extension and the court determines that the surety or the

depositor is making reasonable and ongoing efforts to bring the defendant before the

court. (b) An application for an extension on the ground that the defendant is temporarily

prevented from appearing before the court because the defendant: (1) Is ill; (2) Is insane; or (3) Is being detained by civil or military authorities, and the court, upon hearing the matter, determines that one or more of the grounds

described in this paragraph exist and that the surety or depositor did not in any

way cause or aid the absence of the defendant.

Source: official Nevada text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada § 178.508

What does Nevada Revised Statutes § 178.508 cover?

Section 178.508 ("Duties of court when defendant fails to appear; procedure for issuing order of forfeiture; when forfeiture becomes effective; grounds for extending date of forfeiture") is part of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Nevada. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Nevada § 178.508?

A common citation format is "Nevada Revised Statutes § 178.508" (Nevada). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Nevada law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Nevada official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Nevada attorney.

How does Nevada § 178.508 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Nevada can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Nevada.