New Bond After an FTA
Bond After Missing Court
This page helps families verify the new release conditions, understand the bond entered after a failure to appear, and determine when a licensed Raleigh bondsman may help. You can contact us even when the current bond amount, case number, or custody status is unknown.
Can Someone Bond Out After Missing Court?
Someone may be eligible for release after being arrested or surrendering on an FTA-related Order for Arrest when the following conditions are met:
- A judicial official has authorized release
- Current release conditions have been entered
- An eligible secured bond is shown
- No unresolved no-bond entry or hold prevents release
- The commercial bond application is approved
- Required paperwork, premium, and any collateral requirements are completed
A bondsman cannot normally post a new bond merely because the family was verbally told what the amount may be. The current operative release order and custody record must be verified. For the complete missed-court guide, see the complete Failure to Appear guide.
What Is Your Current Situation?
Choose the situation that best matches what is happening right now. Each option explains what the status generally means, what to verify, and the next practical step.
The Person Missed Court but Has Not Been Arrested
An Order for Arrest may be active. A bondsman generally cannot post a new bond until the person is in custody and conditions are set.
An Order for Arrest Is Active
The order may recommend release conditions. The current operative release order—not a verbal estimate—controls the bond.
The Person Has Already Been Arrested
Verify whether new release conditions have been entered and whether an eligible secured bond is available.
The Person Surrendered
Surrender does not guarantee a particular bond or release. Conditions must still be determined by a judicial official.
A Recommended Bond Appears on the Order for Arrest
Recommended conditions are not the final bond. The release order entered after arrest or surrender controls.
A Secured Bond Appears on the Current Release Order
Gather the bond amount, file numbers, and charges. A bondsman may help when the bond is eligible.
No Release Conditions Have Been Entered
A bondsman cannot post a bond until the judicial official has established the release conditions.
One Charge Has a Bond and Another Says No Bond
Each file number, release order, and secured amount must be reviewed separately.
Several Counties or Cases Are Listed
Each case may have its own bond, hold, or release condition. Posting one bond may not resolve the others.
This Is the First Known FTA
The release order may indicate arrest or surrender after an FTA through Finding 5 on AOC-CR-200.
This Is the Second or Subsequent FTA
Finding 6 may be checked, creating substantially greater forfeiture risk and additional underwriting requirements.
Finding 6 Is Checked
Bail agents commonly refer to this as a C Bond. Raleigh Bail Bonds requires 100% cash collateral for approved C Bonds.
A Bondsman Called This a C Bond
“C Bond” is industry shorthand for a second or subsequent FTA finding—not an official statute or form name.
The Total Secured Bond Is High
High-value or multi-charge cases may require additional approval, cosigner information, or collateral review.
I Need Payment or Collateral Information
The premium, initial payment, payment plan, and collateral are separate. Requirements depend on the bond and review.
I Am the Original Cosigner
A new bond is a separate approval decision. The original premium does not automatically transfer.
Information to Gather
Copy every entry exactly rather than adding amounts or interpreting abbreviations from memory. Incomplete information should not prevent you from calling.
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth
- County or counties involved
- File or case number
- Original charge or charges
- Date of the missed appearance
- Current custody location
- Exact wording of the FTA or Order for Arrest
- Recommended conditions on the Order for Arrest
- Current conditions on the release order
- Bond type for every charge
- Bond amount for every charge
- No-bond or judge-review entries
- Other warrants or holds
- Probation, DWI, domestic-violence, or violent-offense information
- Original bondsman or surety information
- Caller and potential cosigner information
- Identification, employment, income, and residence information
Recommended Amount Versus Current Bond
The amount written or recommended on the Order for Arrest should not automatically be treated as the final current bond. The current release order controls.
Recommended Release Conditions
Conditions that may appear on the most recent Order for Arrest.
Current Release Conditions
The operative conditions imposed after the person is arrested or surrenders.
Secured Bond Amount
The amount that must be secured under the current release order.
Total Secured-Bond Exposure
The combined amount of all secured bonds that must be reviewed.
No-Bond or Judge-Review Entry
A condition that may prevent release even when another bond can be posted.
For detailed information about checking and recalling an active order, see the Order for Arrest after missing court guide.
How North Carolina Sets a New Bond After an FTA
Under N.C.G.S. § 15A-534(d1), except for a defendant charged with a violent offense, the following rules apply when release conditions are being imposed after the defendant has failed on one or more prior occasions to appear for one or more of the charges involved.
- 1The judicial official must impose at least the release conditions recommended in the most recent Order for Arrest issued for the FTA.
- 2If the Order for Arrest recommends no conditions, the judicial official must require a secured appearance bond of at least twice the most recent previous secured or unsecured bond for the applicable charges.
- 3If no bond had previously been required for those charges, the secured bond must be at least $1,000.
- 4The judicial official must impose appropriate restrictions intended to help assure future court appearances.
- 5The release order must indicate that the defendant was arrested or surrendered after failing to appear under a prior release order.
- 6If the information shows two or more prior FTAs in the case, the release order must indicate that fact.
These are statutory minimum requirements in the circumstances covered by G.S. 15A-534(d1). The bond is not guaranteed to be exactly double. The final release conditions can be more restrictive. The $1,000 provision does not apply to every FTA. The current release order controls, and the bondsman does not select or change the court-ordered amount. This subsection excludes defendants charged with a violent offense as defined by current law.
Do Not Combine (d1) and (d3)
G.S. 15A-534(d3) is a separate provision. It concerns a defendant charged with a new offense while already on pretrial release for a prior offense. The two subsections address different situations and should not be combined or treated as the same rule.
What We Normally See in Wake County
Firsthand Operational Experience
Based on Raleigh Bail Bonds' firsthand experience handling Wake County cases, the new secured bond after an FTA commonly doubles the previous bond amount.
Example
A defendant was originally released on a $1,000 secured bond for a DWI charge. The defendant later missed court and was arrested on the resulting Order for Arrest. The new release order will commonly show a $2,000 secured bond.
- The court or judicial official sets the new conditions
- The bondsman does not double the bond
- The prior $1,000 bond is not simply edited into the same $2,000 commercial agreement
- A new or modified release order must be reviewed
- Other charges, prior FTAs, violent-offense rules, probation matters, recommended conditions, and outside holds can affect the result
- The current release order always controls
This is a common practical Wake County outcome—not a guaranteed result or a promise. For the broader county process, see how bail works in Wake County.
Finding 5 and Finding 6
The current AOC-CR-200 Conditions of Release and Release Order contains specific findings that identify the FTA history in the case.
Finding 5
"The defendant was arrested or surrendered after failing to appear as required under a prior release order."
Finding 5 identifies the current release as following an earlier FTA.
Finding 6
"This was the defendant's second or subsequent failure to appear in this case."
Finding 6 identifies a repeated FTA in the same case and creates substantially greater risk for the surety.
- Finding 5 and Finding 6 are different
- Finding 6 does not simply mean the defendant was arrested twice
- Finding 6 creates substantially greater risk for the surety
- Bail agents commonly refer to a new bond with Finding 6 checked as a C Bond
- “C Bond” is industry terminology and not the official name printed on AOC-CR-200
- The marked release order must be reviewed before approval
For the complete explanation of what a C Bond means and the full Finding 6 forfeiture analysis, see the dedicated C Bond guide.
Our Requirements for a C Bond
Raleigh Bail Bonds may assist with a C Bond, subject to a complete review and final approval. For the full explanation of Finding 6, repeated-FTA forfeiture risk, and collateral handling, see what a C Bond means.
For a Bond Treated as a C Bond (Finding 6 Checked):
- Cash collateral equal to 100% of the court-ordered secured bond amount is required
- The applicable bail bond premium must also be paid
- Cash collateral and the premium are separate financial obligations
- Approval is not guaranteed until the complete release order, charges, bonds, holds, cosigner information, premium, and collateral are reviewed
- All collateral and contractual terms must be provided and explained in writing before signatures or payment
- Collateral handling and return must comply with the written agreement and current North Carolina requirements
Example
If the court sets a $10,000 C Bond, Raleigh Bail Bonds requires $10,000 in cash collateral plus the applicable bail bond premium, subject to final approval and the written agreement.
Court-Ordered Secured Bond Amount
The amount set under the release order.
Cash Collateral
Money held to secure the bond company's exposure.
Bail Bond Premium
The fee charged for executing the commercial bail bond.
The 100% cash-collateral requirement is Raleigh Bail Bonds' underwriting policy. It is not a Wake County court requirement, not a North Carolina statutory requirement, not necessarily the policy of every bondsman, and not the same as paying a court-ordered cash bond directly to the court. The cash collateral is not part of the premium.
Why C Bonds Require 100% Cash Collateral
Under N.C.G.S. § 15A-544.5(f), when the release order gave the surety or bail agent actual notice before executing the bond that the defendant had already failed to appear on two or more prior occasions in that case, no forfeiture of that bond may be set aside through the ordinary G.S. 15A-544.5 process.
Finding 6 provides that notice when properly marked by the judicial official. For the complete explanation of what a C Bond means, the repeated-FTA forfeiture risk, and collateral handling, see the complete C Bond guide. If the defendant misses court again:
- The court may enter forfeiture
- Ordinary statutory set-aside relief is unavailable when G.S. 15A-544.5(f) applies
- A later new court date does not automatically restore the ordinary set-aside remedy
- Surrender or service of the Order for Arrest does not create the usual set-aside right for that forfeiture
- The surety may remain financially exposed to the full bond amount
- The cosigner and collateral may be affected under the written agreement
The cash collateral is not instantly lost at the exact moment court is missed. Court forfeiture, notice, and final-judgment procedures still apply. Raleigh Bail Bonds does not promise that extraordinary or discretionary relief will be available.
First FTA Versus Second or Subsequent FTA
First Known FTA
The release order may indicate arrest or surrender after an FTA through Finding 5 on AOC-CR-200.
Second or Subsequent FTA
The release order may also mark Finding 6, identifying a repeated FTA in the same case.
A repeated FTA may affect:
Raleigh Bail Bonds requires 100% cash collateral for an approved C Bond. Not every bail company follows the same policy.
Is This the Same Bond as Before?
A bond written after an FTA-related arrest or surrender should be treated as a new release and underwriting situation.
- The original required appearance was missed
- The original bond may have been forfeited
- A new or modified release order may exist
- The amount may differ from the original bond
- A new commercial bail agreement may be required
- The previous premium does not automatically transfer or become refundable
- The original bondsman is not automatically required to approve the new bond
- A different bondsman cannot assume the prior collateral or agreement applies
Contractual details depend on the original documents, current release order, company policy, and applicable law. For information about the court forfeiture process, the final-judgment date, and the limited set-aside grounds, see the North Carolina bond-forfeiture process. For immediate assistance, contact 24/7 Raleigh bail help.
Can the Original Bondsman Write the New Bond?
The original bondsman may consider the new bond, but approval is separate and not guaranteed. Factors may include:
Prior business with the company does not represent guaranteed approval.
Multiple Bonds, Cases, and Holds
The record may contain multiple entries. Each line must be checked individually.
Verify Every Line Before Paying or Signing
Posting one secured bond may not result in release when another bond, hold, or court-controlled condition remains unresolved.
Cost, Premium, Payment, and Collateral
Total Bond Amount
The amount set by the judicial official.
Bail Bond Premium
The applicable fee for the commercial bail bond service.
Initial Premium Payment
The amount due when beginning an approved premium-payment arrangement.
Payment Plan
An approved agreement for the remaining premium.
Cosigner or Indemnitor
A person accepting contractual responsibility.
Collateral
Money or property securing the bond company's financial exposure.
For Ordinary Post-FTA Bonds
- Payment and collateral requirements are evaluated case by case
- Approval can depend on the total bond, prior FTAs, cosigner information, employment, residence, and other risk factors
For C Bonds
- Raleigh Bail Bonds requires cash collateral equal to 100% of the court-ordered secured bond amount
- The applicable premium is required in addition to the cash collateral
- Approval remains subject to complete review
For general premium-payment information, see bail bond payment options. A payment plan does not reduce the court-ordered bond amount.
Cosigner Responsibilities
The potential cosigner may be required to provide:
- Government-issued identification
- Current residence
- Employment information
- Income verification
- Relationship to the defendant
- References
- Current charge and court information
- Information about prior FTAs
- Required premium and collateral
- A clear plan for helping ensure future court appearances
The cosigner should understand:
What a Bondsman Can and Cannot Do
A Bondsman May
- Help verify available custody and bond information
- Review the current secured-bond entries
- Explain the commercial bond process
- Review cosigner information
- Explain premium and collateral requirements
- Prepare approved bond paperwork
- Post an eligible secured bond
- Confirm when the bond has been submitted
- Explain company underwriting requirements
- Explain Raleigh Bail Bonds' C Bond policy
A Bondsman Cannot
- Recall the Order for Arrest
- Strike the FTA
- Reset the court date
- Select or reduce the bond
- Override a no-bond entry
- Remove another agency's hold
- Give criminal-defense advice
- Guarantee approval
- Guarantee release
- Guarantee a release time
- Guarantee that a forfeiture will be set aside
What Can Delay Approval or Posting?
What Can Delay Release After Posting?
The bondsman can submit an approved bond promptly but cannot control the detention facility's final release time. For facility information, see Wake County booking and release information.
What to Do Right Now
For immediate assistance from a licensed Raleigh bondsman, call with the defendant's information. For the broader county process, see how bail works in Wake County.
- Confirm whether the person is in custody
- Copy the exact case and charge information
- Verify the current release order
- Separate recommended conditions from the operative bond
- Record every bond and no-bond entry
- Check for other counties and holds
- Determine whether Finding 5 or Finding 6 is checked
- Contact the attorney regarding the criminal case
- Contact a licensed bondsman about eligible secured bonds
- Prepare complete cosigner documentation
- Review premium and collateral requirements
- Confirm every future court date after release
After Release
- Read every release condition
- Confirm the next court date through an official source
- Save the date in multiple calendars
- Set reminders in advance
- Confirm whether personal appearance is required
- Keep the attorney and bondsman informed of current contact information
- Follow travel, conduct, residence, monitoring, and contact restrictions
- Contact the attorney immediately if an emergency may affect attendance
- Do not assume a continuance has been granted
- Attend every required court appearance
Helpful Resources
Failure to Appear
Complete guide to FTAs, Orders for Arrest, new bonds, forfeiture, and second FTAs.
Failure to AppearOrder for Arrest After Missing Court
Check whether an Order for Arrest exists, understand recall requests, and learn when a bondsman may help.
Order for Arrest After Missing CourtWhat Is a C Bond?
Understand Finding 6, repeated-FTA forfeiture risk, cosigner responsibilities, and Raleigh Bail Bonds' 100% cash-collateral requirements.
What Is a C Bond?Bond Forfeiture
Read the forfeiture notice, understand the final-judgment date, and identify the limited statutory set-aside grounds.
Bond ForfeitureWake County Bail Process
Complete county-level bond process and release information.
Wake County Bail ProcessWake County Detention Center
Custody, booking, and release information for the Wake County jail.
Wake County Detention CenterBail Bond Payment Options
Flexible payment options for qualifying bonds.
Bail Bond Payment OptionsSecure Online Application
Start the secure online application.
Secure Online ApplicationBail Bond FAQs
Complete bail bond questions and answers.
Bail Bond FAQsFrequently Asked Questions
Need Help With a Bond After Missing Court?
Call Raleigh Bail Bonds with the defendant's full legal name, date of birth, current custody location, charges, file numbers, and secured amount. We can review the current release order and explain the next step.
Last reviewed: August 2026 — Reviewed by a licensed North Carolina bail bondsman.
This page provides general information about bail and pretrial release. It does not provide legal advice or predict the outcome of a particular case. The 100% cash-collateral requirement for C Bonds is Raleigh Bail Bonds' underwriting policy, not a court or statutory requirement.