Bail Office

Bail is required to ensure a defendants appearance on court date set until the case is closed. The Court Clerk will tell you the type and amount of bail and how to post it. (For more info on bail see: General Municipal Law 99-M)

Posting of Bail is accepted at the Cheektowaga Justice Court, Cheektowaga Police Station, and at the Erie County Holding Center. The Cheektowaga Court can only collect bail posting when the defendant is in the Cheektowaga Police Cell block. Once they are transferred to the Erie County Holding Center, bail must be posted at the
Cashier Window; 40 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo NY 14202; for hours of availability (716) 858-7636.

The Justice Court accepts both cash and major credit cards for bail posting.

BAIL BONDS:
Town Courts are not courts of record therefore do not have the jurisdication required to authorize the issuance of a bond. Please refer to a bail bondsman found in the yellow pages for further direction. There is also a bond office at Buffalo City Court.

FORFEITED BAIL:
If a defendant fails to appear at his/her court date after bail is posted, the Judge will issue a Bench Warrant for the defendants arrest and order a Forfeiture of Bail (Please review bail receipt/forfeiture information).

RETURN BAIL:
Bail will not be returned until the case is sentenced, bail is reduced, defendant is released on their own recognizance or defendant is returned to jail and supporting documentation is verified. Upon bail return, per NYS Comptroller Audit & Control the Justice Court “MUST” return bail in the form of a check.
[ “NO” cash bail returns will be granted]. When picking up the Bail Return, the Cheektowaga Town Court requires the original Bail Receipt and a legal form of ID.

BAIL POUNDAGE:
There is a mandatory 3% surcharge on cash bail when a conviction occurs in a criminal action or proceeding.

BAIL FOR FINES:
When cash bail has been posted by the defendant and has not been forfeited or assigned, the defendant can use his/her bail for fines.