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Civil Court Bonds
In a civil proceeding, the judge may offer relief or benefits to either the plaintiff or defendant before the case is fully decided. This could include actions like an injunction, release of lien, or an appeal. Before granting this relief, the court may require the party receiving it to secure a civil court bond. This bond protects the other party financially if they are harmed by the relief.
Click below to get your bond today. Have any questions? Give us a call at (855) 470-0877 to speak to one of our experts.
Why Work with Jet Surety's Civil Court Team
Jet's expertise in civil court creates a seamless process for litigants and their attorneys with fast applications and friendly customer service. Jet is the only direct surety carrier that works directly with litigants, cutting out the middleman so you save. Our expert underwriters focus exclusively on civil proceedings and probate, ensuring that each submission will have our full and undivided focus. We study civil law nationwide to ensure each bond request is handled with accuracy and speed.
Meet our Civil Court Team
Omar Agha,
Program Director
Omar Agha is the Head of the Civil Court and Probate Department for Jet Insurance Company. Omar manages the marketing strategy for the unit and develops underwriting processes for Jet's court bond program.
Bryce Desai,
Senior Underwriter
Bryce Desai is the Senior Underwriter for Jet's Civil Court Department. Bryce oversees underwriting for civil court bond submissions, conducts legal research in state law, and creates digital marketing for the department.
Julia Johnson,
Junior Underwriter
Julia Johnson is the Junior Underwriter for Jet's Civil Court Department. Julia assists in underwriting court bond submissions, coordinates delivery for new bond issuances, and assists in marketing efforts for the department.
How Much Does a Civil Court Bond Cost?
The cost of the civil court bond is dependent on the bond amount required by the court in the specific case. Most civil court bonds will require a minimum premium fee of $500 or 1% of the bond amount, whichever is greater. In cases where no collateral is required, Jet may require a premium fee of up to 2%.
Jet is a direct surety company - unlike other surety companies, we can provide civil court bonds efficiently without third party brokers slowing down the bonding process. Contact our bond experts at (855) 470-0877 to determine how much your bond will cost.
Civil Court Bonds for Plaintiffs
Civil court bonds for plaintiffs provide financial protection to the defendant in case the plaintiff's claims or actions cause harm during the court proceedings. By securing a bond, the plaintiff assures the court that they can cover any potential damages or losses if the relief granted to them is later determined to be unjust. This helps balance the risks between both parties while allowing the plaintiff to move forward with their case.
Injunction Bonds
Injunctions are court orders that either prohibit a party from certain actions or require them to take specific actions. Injunctions can impose financial or operational burdens on the restricted party, so the court may require a Preliminary Injunction or TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) bond. This bond guarantees compensation to the enjoined party if the injunction is later found to be wrongfully issued and safeguards the opposing party in case it’s later decided that the injunction was incorrectly granted.
The judge sets the bond amount after considering the perspectives of both parties—one advocating for a minimal bond and the other for a higher one to ensure protection. The risk for these bonds is largely dependent on how long the obligation should run. An injunction can be temporary, like a restraining order that provides immediate relief until an upcoming hearing, or longer term to stop an action indefinitely. Depending on the individual case, collateral may or may not be needed.
Replevin Bonds
Replevin Bonds, also known as Sequestration Bonds or Claim and Delivery Bonds, are requested by a plaintiff to the court when the plaintiff is looking to recover disputed property while the case is ongoing. This method of recovery is known as a replevy. The defendant can file a counter-replevin to stop the repossession. The bond ensures the affected party gets their property back and compensation if it’s later found that the plaintiff was not entitled to it.
The court sets the bond amount for a replevin bond based on the value of the disputed property and the potential risks involved. In the case of a plaintiff replevin bond, these are considered lower risk and do not generally require collateral. A defendants counter-replevin bond is more like an appeal, so they are considered high risk and will generally require collateral.
Attachment Bonds
A writ of attachment bond, also known as an attachment bond or plaintiff bond, is required when a plaintiff seeks to seize the defendant's property before a final judgment is reached by the court. Like all the previous bonds discussed, the bond protects the defendant if they are financially harmed by this action if it is determined the property should not have been seized.
This type of bond plays a crucial role in balancing the interests of creditors and debtors in civil cases, providing a mechanism for asset preservation while protecting against potential abuses of the legal process. Attachment bonds are also considered lower risk, and generally do not require collateral.
Bonds for Defendants
Civil court bonds for defendants protect the plaintiff in a defendant's efforts to reverse or challenge a decision made by the court. These bonds ensure that if the defendant’s actions lead to financial loss or damage to the plaintiff, the bond will cover those costs. Essentially, it provides security for the plaintiff while allowing the defendant to proceed with their defense.
Appeal Bonds
After a court case is settled, the losing party may ask a higher court to review the decision. Before granting this appeal, the court requires the losing party to get an appeal bond or supersedeas (seeking to supersede the prior decision) bond. This bond ensures that if the appeal fails, the previous judgment, including interest, court costs, and possibly attorney fees, will be paid.
The surety doesn’t evaluate the case’s facts or the chance of winning the appeal, but rather fills an administrative role to allow the appeal to be heard. These bonds are considered higher risk since the person obtaining the bond has already lost the initial case. As such, these bonds will almost always require 100% of the bond amount to be collateralized (more on this later)
Lien Bonds
Lien Bonds are for defendants wishing to discharge a lien owed against property. A lien is a legal claim on a property to secure a debt, often placed by contractors for unpaid work. While the lien is in place, the property owner cannot sell or refinance the property due to the unclear title. A surety bond can replace the lien, clearing the title while the matter is resolved.
The bond guarantees that if the lien is found to be valid, the claimant will be compensated for the amount owed, up to the bond's limit. These bonds are high-risk and typically require full collateral. If the lien is dismissed or settled, the collateral is returned. If the lien is upheld, the collateral is used to pay the claimant. These are also referred to as Mechanics Lien Bonds, Discharge of Lien Bonds, or Release of Lien Bonds.
Counter Replevin Bonds
A counter-replevin bond lets a defendant keep disputed property during a lawsuit, while protecting the plaintiff financially. If the defendant loses, they must return the property and cover any damages. The bond guarantees that if the defendant loses the case, they will return the property in its original condition and compensate the plaintiff for any damages.
This bond is filed in response to the plaintiff's replevin bond, and the court sets the amount, usually 1.5 times the property's value. It allows the defendant to keep the property while ensuring the plaintiff is compensated if the defendant loses. These types of bonds are handled like appeal bonds and will typically require full collateral.
Other Civil Court Bonds
Sheriff Indemnity Bonds
A sheriff indemnity bond, also known as an indemnity to sheriff bond or marshal bond, is a type of surety bond that protects law enforcement officers when they seize property as ordered by a court. The plaintiff requesting the property seizure is responsible for purchasing and maintaining the bond. This holds the plaintiff accountable for the consequences of their legal action.
The bond amount is typically set at twice the judgment amount, though this can vary by state. By requiring this bond, courts ensure that law enforcement agencies can execute their duties without fear of personal liability, while also providing a mechanism for compensation if the seizure is later found to be unjustified or if damages occur during the process.
Accepted Forms of Collateral
Jet Surety accepts three types of collateral for these bonds. The first two are cash options: a cashier’s check or a wire transfer to the surety’s collateral account. The main downside is that these funds are tied up until the case is resolved, which can be an opportunity cost. However, a wire transfer is the quickest way to provide collateral, which can be important when time is a factor.
Another option for collateral is an Irrevocable Letter of Credit (ILOC), provided by a pre-approved financial institution. The ILOC guarantees payment to the surety bond company if a claim is made. This allows the principal to avoid restricting their assets while the case is pending. However, the principal needs a strong relationship with the institution and will pay a fee to the financial institution based on several factors.
Jet Surety does not accept real estate as collateral due to its fluctuating value and lack of liquidity. If the property value drops or the property needs to be sold, it could cause delays and additional costs for the surety.
How To Apply for a Civil Court Bond with Jet
Jet’s application process is simple and fast - our goal is to get the litigant bonded as quickly as possible so they can move on with their case. Begin your civil court bond application today by clicking the button below or calling our court bond experts at (855) 470-0877.
Jet Works Directly with Attorneys
Jet partners with attorneys nationwide to provide their clients with direct access to civil court and probate bonds. Verified Jet Attorneys have free access to innovative solutions, including a white-label application, access to client bond records, and concierge customer service. Register your law firm in minutes and eliminate a major pain point for your clients.
Have a question?
Call (855) 470-0877 or email probate@jetsurety.com to speak with a civil court bond expert.