AGO Opinion Topics: BAIL DEPOSIT PENALTY ASSESSMENT

(1) Chapter 39, Laws of 1963 (chapter 46 RCW) [[chapter 46.81 RCW and others]], requires a court to collect a penalty assessment deposit of two dollars for each twenty dollars of bail or fraction thereof which is deposited. (2) Same :  The deposit of the penalty assessment should be designated in the bail receipt to advise the depositor of the reason for its collection. (3) Same :  In case of a nonforfeitable offense, the penalty assessment must be collected at the time bail is posted but it is refundable if the accused appears and is acquitted or the case is otherwise dismissed.