Shalini Ahmed v. United States
DueProcess
Is a bond forfeiture proceeding sufficiently civil in nature such that it falls under certain rules governing civil actions and should be treated as a civil proceeding, though it arises from an underlying criminal case?
QUESTIONS PRESENTED The questions presented are: Is a bond forfeiture proceeding sufficiently civil in nature such that it falls under certain rules governing civil actions and should be treated as a civil proceeding, though it arises from an underlying criminal case? Does a surety have the right to intervene at the inception of any bond forfeiture proceeding, including when the government moves for declaration of bond forfeiture? Is a determination of the nature of a bond forfeiture proceeding separate and final from the underlying merits of the bond forfeiture, such that it falls under the Cohen doctrine established by this Court and thus appellate jurisdiction applies?