What Is a C Bond in North Carolina?

“C Bond” is not the official name printed on a North Carolina release order. Bail agents commonly use the term when Finding 6 on AOC-CR-200 is checked, indicating that this was the defendant's second or subsequent failure to appear in the same case.

Because the surety receives official notice of the prior FTAs before executing the new bond, another failure to appear can prevent the resulting forfeiture from being set aside through the ordinary G.S. 15A-544.5 process.

• Defendant's full legal name
• Date of birth
• County where the case is pending
• File or case number
• All charges associated with the release order
• Current bond amount
• Current bond type
• A copy or clear image of AOC-CR-200
• Whether Finding 5 is checked
• Whether Finding 6 is checked
• Number of prior FTAs shown in the same case
• Other cases, counties, bonds, or holds
• Current custody location
• Attorney contact information
• Potential cosigner information
• Government-issued identification
• Employment and residence information
• Source of the proposed cash collateral
• Information required to document the collateral transaction

Do not rely only on what another person called the bond. Raleigh Bail Bonds must review the actual release order and current custody information. For the complete missed-court guide, see the complete Failure to Appear guide.

“This was the defendant's second or subsequent failure to appear in this case.”

— Finding 6, AOC-CR-200 Conditions of Release and Release Order

Both findings may be checked on the same release order. For the general post-FTA bond process, see how the new bond works after an FTA.

The public should focus on:

• The marked release order
• Finding 6
• The current secured-bond amount
• Every additional bond or hold
• The written commercial bond and collateral agreement

• The surety or bail agent had actual notice before executing the bond
• The defendant had already failed to appear on two or more prior occasions
• Those prior FTAs occurred in the case for which the bond was executed
• The prior FTAs were indicated on the release order by a judicial official

1. 1The defendant fails to appear as required
2. 2The court may enter a forfeiture
3. 3Notice is issued through the statutory process
4. 4Because the release order gave notice of two or more prior FTAs, ordinary set-aside under G.S. 15A-544.5 is prohibited when subsection (f) applies
5. 5If the forfeiture is not otherwise resolved through a legally available process, it may become a final judgment under G.S. 15A-544.6
6. 6The surety can become financially liable for the bond amount
7. 7The written indemnity and collateral agreement may affect the cosigner and cash collateral

Missing court again puts the entire secured-bond amount and cash collateral at serious risk.

The collateral is not instantly lost at the exact moment court is missed. Court forfeiture, notice, and final-judgment procedures still apply. However, ordinary set-aside relief is unavailable when G.S. 15A-544.5(f) applies. For the complete North Carolina bond-forfeiture process, including the forfeiture notice, final-judgment date, and set-aside grounds, see the dedicated guide.

A new court date by itself does not restore the ordinary G.S. 15A-544.5 set-aside remedies when subsection (f) applies.

These events may have different legal effects in other forfeiture situations, but the Finding 6 restriction must be evaluated separately. Do not make an individualized legal determination without consulting counsel.

• This is not an ordinary safety net
• Relief is not automatic
• Raleigh Bail Bonds does not promise that extraordinary circumstances exist
• The availability of relief must not be used to minimize C Bond risk
• Legal questions about final-judgment relief should be handled by qualified counsel

A caller should verify whether the release order shows a secured bond, cash bond, no bond, judge review, or another type of release condition. Do not describe these arrangements as interchangeable.

When collateral is accepted:

• A detailed written receipt must be provided
• Collateral must be held and maintained in trust
• Cash, checks, or negotiable instruments accepted as collateral must be deposited within the legally required period into an established, separate, noninterest-bearing trust account in a North Carolina bank
• Collateral funds must not be mixed with ordinary operating funds
• Collateral must be reasonable in relation to the amount of the bond
• Collateral that remains returnable must be returned within the period required by current law after final termination of liability on the bond

Do not assume collateral will be returned merely because:

• The defendant is released
• The next court date passes
• The case appears inactive
• The defendant is arrested after an FTA
• A new court date is issued

The bond company's liability must be formally terminated and any contractual obligations must be resolved. See G.S. 58-71-95 and G.S. 58-71-100.

Before returning collateral, the company must confirm:

• The court has formally terminated liability on the bond
• No unresolved forfeiture or final judgment remains
• No applicable contractual obligation remains unpaid
• The person requesting return is legally entitled to receive it
• Required documentation is complete

North Carolina law requires returnable collateral to be returned within the applicable statutory period after final termination of liability. Not every case ends on the same date, and collateral cannot always be released immediately after the criminal charge is resolved.

Before Signing, the Cosigner Should Understand:

• Finding 6 indicates repeated FTAs in the same case
• Another missed appearance creates exceptional forfeiture exposure
• Ordinary set-aside relief may be prohibited
• The premium and collateral are separate
• The collateral may remain held while the bond company remains liable
• The full secured-bond amount may be at risk
• The indemnity agreement can create repayment obligations
• The defendant must attend every required court appearance
• Address, phone, employment, and court information must remain current
• The cosigner should immediately report concerns about another possible FTA
• Every document should be read before signing

Do not pressure the visitor to sign quickly without understanding the obligation. For a detailed breakdown of cosigner responsibilities, see the responsibilities of a domestic violence bail bond cosigner and the general post-FTA bond guide at bond after missing court.

• The marked release order
• Number of prior FTAs
• Total secured-bond amount
• Other active bonds
• Other counties or warrants
• No-bond entries
• Probation or pretrial-release status
• Ability to maintain contact with the defendant
• Defendant's residence and employment
• Cosigner cooperation
• Accuracy and completeness of the application
• Source and documentation of collateral funds
• Additional underwriting requirements
• Whether the company can responsibly manage the risk

The company does not imply that the defendant is guilty or dishonest merely because Finding 6 is checked. Approval decisions are based on underwriting criteria and the company's ability to responsibly manage the risk.

• Finding 6 checked in one case
• A first FTA in another case
• An Order for Arrest from another county
• Different bond conditions for separate charges
• A no-bond entry
• A probation-related hold
• A DWI or domestic-violence release condition
• A federal or other agency hold

Verify Every Case Before Providing Funds

Posting the C Bond may not produce release when another bond, hold, or judicial condition remains unresolved. Every case and release order must be reviewed separately. For the general post-FTA process, see how the new bond works after an FTA.

• Obtain the current release order
• Confirm that Finding 6 is checked
• Verify the secured-bond amount
• List every additional bond and hold
• Confirm the defendant's custody location
• Contact the criminal defense attorney about the case
• Prepare complete cosigner information
• Prepare identification and source-of-funds documentation
• Review the 100% collateral requirement
• Confirm that the premium is separate
• Read the written indemnity and collateral agreements
• Ask how court dates will be monitored
• Do not provide funds to an unverified person or without written instructions

• Read every release condition
• Obtain the official next court date
• Confirm whether personal appearance is required
• Save the date in multiple calendars
• Set reminders well in advance
• Verify the date again shortly before court
• Keep the attorney informed
• Keep Raleigh Bail Bonds informed of current contact information
• Report address or employment changes
• Follow travel, residence, monitoring, testing, and contact restrictions
• Do not assume a continuance has been granted without official confirmation
• Contact the attorney immediately if an emergency could affect attendance
• Attend every required court appearance

Preventing another FTA is the most important responsibility after release.