The arresting officer shall indicate on the citation the date of the arraignment, and the defendant shall appear in person or by counsel at the stated time and place for arraignment. If the defendant fails to appear in court in person or by counsel for arraignment on the charge against him, or fails to arrange with the court within the time designated on the citation for a future appearance, the cash bail, if cash bail has been deposited by the defendant, shall be forfeited. If a license to operate a motor vehicle has been deposited under subsection (b) of Section 1111 of this title, the court clerk shall immediately forward to the Department of Public Safety the operator's license attached to an official notification form furnished by the Department of Public Safety, advising that the defendant failed to appear; in addition, on motion of the district attorney, the court shall issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendant. If a license has been deposited under subsection (a) of Section 1111 of this title and the out-of-state defendant's personal check is not honored, the court clerk shall immediately forward to the Department of Public Safety the license stating that the check has not been honored. If bail has been forfeited, on motion of the district attorney, the court shall issue a bench warrant. Provided, however, that bail forfeiture shall not be construed as a plea of guilty or admission in any civil action that may thereafter arise by reason of said occurrence.
Laws 1980, c. 248, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 1980.