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Section 530.30 – Order of recognizance, release under non-monetary conditions or bail; by superior court judge when action is pending in local criminal court

May 14, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, New York

1. When a criminal action is pending in a local criminal court, other than one consisting of a superior court judge sitting as such, a judge of a superior court holding a term thereof in the county, upon application of a defendant, may order recognizance, release under non-monetary conditions or, where authorized, bail when such local criminal court:

(a) Lacks authority to issue such an order, pursuant to the relevant provisions of section 530.20 of this article; or
(b) Has denied an application for recognizance, release under non-monetary conditions or bail; or
(c) Has fixed bail, where authorized, which is excessive; or
(d) Has set a securing order of release under non-monetary conditions which are more restrictive than necessary to reasonably assure the defendant’s return to court.

In such case, such superior court judge may vacate the order of such local criminal court and release the defendant on recognizance or under non-monetary conditions, or where authorized, fix bail in a lesser amount or in a less burdensome form, whichever are the least restrictive alternative and conditions that will reasonably assure the defendant’s return to court. The court shall explain its choice of alternative and conditions on the record or in writing.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision one of this section, when the defendant is charged with a felony in a local criminal court, a superior court judge may not order recognizance, release under non-monetary conditions or, where authorized, bail unless and until the district attorney has had an opportunity to be heard in the matter and such judge and counsel for the defendant have been furnished with a report as described in subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (b) of subdivision two of section 530.20 of this article.
3. Not more than one application may be made pursuant to this section.

N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law ยง 530.30

Amended by New York Laws 2019, ch. 59,Sec. JJJ-17, eff. 1/1/2020.