12.80 Execution and approval of bond

If someone is found guilty and wants to stay out of jail while appealing their case, they need to post a bail bond. This rule explains when that bond can be submitted. It can happen either when the person files their notice of appeal or any time after that.

Once the court or the court clerk accepts the bond, the person's sentence is put on hold right away. This means they don't have to start serving their sentence while their appeal is being decided. The clerk must then quickly tell the prosecutor's office (the attorney for the Commonwealth) that the bond has been accepted, so everyone involved knows the sentence is on hold.