Appearance Bond

US Federal Courts · Criminal

Verified current as of July 16, 2026

# Appearance Bond (AO 98) An Appearance Bond is a written promise by a defendant to show up in court for their scheduled hearings and trial, sometimes requiring money or property to be held as security to guarantee they'll appear. A person who has been arrested or charged with a federal crime would need this form if the judge allows them to be released from jail before trial instead of being held in custody.