What must the amount of an appeal bond be?

• A. It must be exactly double the fine and costs.
• B. It must be at least the amount of the fine and costs.
• C. It must be no more than two times the fine and costs.
• D. It may not be less than two times the fine and costs, and cannot be less than $50.

Answer: (D)

When you post an appeal bond, the goal is to guarantee payment of what’s owed if the appeal isn’t successful, so the winning party isn’t left unpaid during the process. The amount is set to be at least two times the fines and costs, with a minimum floor (for example, $50). This ensures the bond is large enough to cover the judgment and the ongoing costs that can arise during the appeal, while also preventing very small judgments from bypassing meaningful security.

So the bond isn’t fixed at exactly a single amount or capped at one value; it must be at least twice the fine and costs and never drop below the mandated minimum. This protects the judgment holder and provides a reasonable cushion if the appeal process takes longer or accrues additional expenses.