How many years after exoneration and release can the Trial Court Clerk destroy bond records?

The correct answer is based on California law governing the handling of bond records. According to California Penal Code § 1302, bond records must be maintained by the Trial Court Clerk for a specific period following the exoneration and release of the defendant. The statute specifies that after three years from the date of exoneration, the bond records can be legally destroyed. This requirement ensures that there is sufficient time to address any potential disputes or claims related to the bond before the records are disposed of.

Regarding the other options, a timeframe of five years, ten years, or 75 years does not align with the statutory requirement and would unnecessarily prolong the retention of records related to bonds, which could complicate administrative procedures and storage. Thus, three years provides a balanced approach, allowing for adequate record retention while preventing clutter in court archives.