What is a recognizance?

A$.$ a sealed document that contains an informal contract whose contents are known only to the parties

B$.$ a sealed document that contains a formal contract whose contents are known to both parties and the referee who supervised its signing

C$.$ a party's acknowledgement in court that he or she is not liable to pay money if a certain event occurs

D$.$ a party's agreement to pay a sum of money if another person does not pay it