A capias ad respondendum shall issue in an action founded upon contract, express or implied, due to plaintiff from defendant, only when the proof establishes the particulars specified in one or more of the following subparagraphs:
In such a case, the court shall hold the defendant to bail in such an amount as is shown by the proof to be due plaintiff from defendant except that in actions to recover money from a public officer, the amount shall be that which the court thinks proper under the circumstances.
This section shall not apply to proceedings as for contempt to enforce civil remedies.
N.J.S. § 2A:15-42