County of Santa Barbara v. Lexington National Insurance Corp.

Case Number

Case Type Civil Law & Motion Hearing Date / Time Wed, 06/24/2026 - 10:00 Nature of Proceedings Motion of Bail Agent Superior Bail Bonds to Set Aside Summary Judgment on Bond Forfeiture Tentative Ruling For Plaintiff County of Santa Barbara: Rachel Van Mullem, Kristen M. Cortez, Office of the County Counsel For Defendant Lexington National Insurance Corp. and Bail Agent Superior Bail Bonds: Daniel Moaddel

For all reasons stated herein, the motion of bail agent Superior Bail Bonds to set aside summary judgment on bond forfeiture is denied. The Court declines to rule at this hearing on the request for attorney fees set forth for the first time in Plaintiff County of Santa Barbara's opposition. Plaintiff may file a motion for attorney fees on regular notice.

Background

This action pertains to the forfeiture of Bail Bond No. 2023DD010350 (Bail Bond) in favor of Plaintiff County of Santa Barbara (County) related to the failure to appear by Nautica Singleton (Singleton), Defendant in the underlying criminal matter, People of the State of California v. Nautica Singleton, Santa Barbara Superior Court, Case No. 23CR08667 (Criminal Case). As evidenced by the filings in this action: On October 22 and October 27, 2023, respectively, Superior Bail Bonds (SBB) as bail agent of Lexington National Insurance Corp. (Lexington) issued and filed the Bail Bond in the Criminal Case. (Sum.

Judg. on Bail Bond Forfeiture, March 20, 2026, attach.) The Bail Bond states that Singleton was ordered to appear in the Criminal Case on December 22, 2023, pertaining to charges against Singleton under Penal Code section 476 [forgery], Penal Code section 459.5 [shoplifting], and Penal Code section 182 [conspiracy]. (Ibid.) Although no designation was made in the misdemeanor/felony section of the Bail Bond, the charges against Singleton are referenced with the suffix "--M" and appear to be described in the Bail Bond as misdemeanor charges. (Ibid.)