Does the court clerk have the authority to serve a citation in a bond forfeiture case?

• A. No, the clerk lacks authority in bond forfeiture cases.
• B. Yes, if requested to by the prosecutor.
• C. Yes, in all bond forfeiture cases regardless of request.
• D. Only when the court grants special authorization.

Answer: (B)

In bond forfeiture matters, serving a citation is a procedural step that the court’s clerk handles only when directed. The clerk doesn’t act on its own; it serves papers as instructed by the court or at the request of the prosecutor. So, the clerk can serve a citation if the prosecutor asks for it to move the case forward. If there’s no such request, the clerk wouldn’t independently carry out service, and another officer, like a sheriff, would typically handle it. The other options overstate or misstate the clerk’s role by implying universal authority, no authority, or needs for special permission. The crucial point is that clerks act at the direction of the court or the prosecutor, so service is possible when the prosecutor requests it.