What is a Surety Bond?

A surety bond is a three-party contract between the principal (you, the defendant), the obligee (the court), and the surety (bail bondsman). It guarantees your appearance at all scheduled court proceedings. If you fail to appear, the bond is forfeited.

Failure to Appear (FTA)

Under 18 U.S.C. § 3146, failing to appear in court as required may result in:

• Forfeiture of any bail or bond posted
• Additional federal criminal charges
• Issuance of a bench warrant for your arrest
• Up to 10 years imprisonment if underlying offense is a felony

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Legal representation (court-appointed if indigent)
• Review the evidence against you
• A fair and speedy trial
• File a hardship affidavit for bond reduction

Contact the Court

Federal Judiciary Line:
(202) 843-1420 EXT 3

Hours:
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM EST

⚠️ Important: This is an official federal docket. Providing false information or failing to respond may result in additional penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 1001.