The Clerk Was More Familiar With The Process For Felonies, But Did Not Note Any

BCBF Student: Leisa Rockelein
County: Cortland
* For all processes, check to see if the process is different for misdemeanors vs. felonies or
varies by court.
 The clerk was more familiar with the process for felonies, but did not note any
differences when asked.
 Cash Bail
o At what building(s) can an individual pay cash bail? (A court, a jail, a police
dept?)
 If people can pay bail at the jail, follow up with: “Does your county have
more than one jail? If so, can people pay cash bail at any detention center
in the county or must they go where the person is being held?”
 This can be paid at the jail. There is only one jail.
o When can an individual post bail? Only at arraignment? Anytime thereafter?
 Anytime
o If the person or a friend/family member can’t pay cash bail at arraignment but can
later, where and when can they pay? Can they pay at any time or must they wait
for the person’s next court date?
 They can pay at the jail.
o What forms of payment are accepted? (e.g. cash, cashier check, etc)
 The clerk believes they accept both cash and cashier check.
o When the case is over, how does an individual get their cash bail money returned?
Does it happen automatically? If not, what's the process for getting bail returned?
 As soon as the case resolved, the process of returning the money
begins. The money is often returned at sentencing, may be later if it
isn’t the defendant who paid, and the person who paid isn’t in the
court room.
o If the person has issues getting their bail money back, who should they reach out
to?
 Their office, although she said issues are uncommon. 607-218-3320
 Partially-Secured Bond
o When can people post bond? At arraignment? If someone can’t post bond at
arraignment, when can they post after arraignment?
 While she said both types of bond are rare in the county, this can be
posted anytime.
o What is the process for an individual to post the percentage of partially-secured
bond set by the judge?
 They must go to the jail and pay whatever percentage of the total.
o What paperwork do they need to fill out? Is it just one Bond Form or are there
multiple forms, like a justifying affidavit and bail bond form? Do any officials
(such as the District Attorney) need to sign it?
 She was unsure, as she said this was uncommon.
o At what building(s) can an individual pay partially secured bond? (Court, county
jail, etc)
 Jail (there is only one).
o When can an individual post partially secured bond? Only at arraignment?
Anytime thereafter?
 Anytime.
o What forms of payment are accepted?
 No personal checks, yes to credit cards, she was unsure about money
orders.
o What is the process for an individual to retrieve, at the conclusion of a case, the
partially secured bond held by the county/court?
o This is a different form from the one for cash bail, which can be found in the bail
packet, but this is also processed automatically at the end of the case like in cash
bail. If the person has issues getting their money back, who should they reach out
to?
 Their office, although she said issues are uncommon. 607-218-3320
 Unsecured Bond
o The Clerk insisted they go through a bondsman here. She said they don’t
really see people using unsecured bond without a bondsman in the county.
 I tried to get her email for some follow up questions about the topics
she was unsure of, but she indicated she wanted to do it all now.
o What is the process for an individual to utilize/post an unsecured bond, if one is
set by the judge?
 Through a bondsman and during business hours.
o When can an individual post unsecured bond? Only at arraignment? Anytime thereafter?
 With a bondsman.
o If someone can’t post bond at arraignment, when can they post after arraignment?
o What paperwork do they need to fill out? Is it just one Bond Form or are there
multiple forms, like a justifying affidavit and bail bond form? Do any officials
(such as the District Attorney) need to sign it?
 Through the bail bondsman’s paperwork, nothing additional needs to
be filled out.
 Please also note any unique procedures county’s are implementing in response to
COVID-19:
o There are greater options for mailing rather than in person visits, more
information of the different options are on the door of the jail.

The Clerk Was More Familiar With The Process For Felonies, But Did Not Note Any

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BCBF Student: Leisa Rockelein

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