A surety is a person who comes forward to sign a bond for another person (the accused in the criminal case). The surety signs the bond and agrees that if the accused does not follow the rules related to the release from custody, the surety may be liable to the court for the amount of the bond. The bail system in federal court differs from the system used in state or county court. In state or county court, a person can provide a deposit to a bail bondsman who then posts bond with the court. But that practice is not as common in federal court. In federal court, the court often sets a bond that requires one or more people to act as sureties and sign the bond. For example, the court may set a bond in the amount of $20,000 secured by the signature of one surety. The surety must show the court that they have assets or income in the amount of the bond. Once that is done, the surety signs on behalf of the accused. The person is released from custody with certain rules to follow. If the person follows the rules, the surety will not be required to give any money to the court. If the bond requires a signature and a deposit, the deposit will be returned to the surety at the end of the case provided that the accused follows the rules of release.