Columbia County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

A judge settles it at the arraignment, the person's opening appearance in court. Per the state court system's help site, about 24 hours usually passes between arrest and arraignment. The judge has to weigh this person's own risk of skipping court and state the reasons on the record or on paper (CPL 510.10(1)).

• Inside city limits, arraignments are held at Hudson City Court, 701-B Union Street, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-267-3082.
• Everywhere else, the arrest goes to the justice court of whichever town or village it happened in.
• A felony that moves past the early stages is sent up to County Court, 401 Union Street, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-267-3150.

Plenty of arrests never reach a cell. For misdemeanors, violations and the lowest felonies, officers are generally required to write a desk appearance ticket, which lists a court date, and then let the person leave (CPL 150.20).

The law calls the judge's decision a securing order, and there are four kinds (CPL 500.10):

• Recognizance. Release on a promise alone, with no money. For charges that aren't qualifying offenses, this is the starting point (CPL 510.10(3)).
• Non-monetary conditions. Release plus rules, such as reporting to pretrial staff. The county Probation Department, 11 Warren Street, Suite 3, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-828-4126, supervises pretrial release here. Nobody may bill the person for these conditions.
• Bail. Allowed only when the charge appears on the list of qualifying offenses in CPL 510.10(4) and 530.20.
• Remand. Holding the person with no way to post bail, permitted only for certain qualifying felonies.

Setting bail means offering choices. The judge lists three or more forms, and that list must name at least one low-cash bond, meaning an unsecured or a partially secured one (CPL 520.10(2)(b)). Partially secured? Then the upfront cash tops out at 10% of the full figure. An unsecured bond takes no money at the start, and the signers pay the whole figure only when a court date is skipped. Electronic monitoring is a last resort and lasts 60 days per order, though it can be renewed (CPL 510.40(4)).

Judges pick a figure case by case, and they must factor in whether the person can pay it without undue hardship (CPL 510.10(1)). Instead of a price list, think of charges in groups:

• Misdemeanors, in most cases: money bail is off the table and release is required.
• Nonviolent felonies, in most cases: the same, unless the facts fit an exception.
• Violent felonies (first-degree robbery or second-degree assault, for example): the judge may pick bail or remand.
• Class A felonies, the top level: bail or remand, and the decision belongs to County Court.
• Domestic cases like strangulation of a household member or violating an order of protection: these qualify for bail.
• Deaths and listed sex offenses: these qualify too.
• Felony arrests during probation or post-release supervision: qualify.
• Bail jumping or escape: qualifies.

In 2024, the state's town and village justice courts beyond the five boroughs sent 75% of defendants home on recognizance and 5% home with conditions. Judges remanded 7% and required bail from 13%. Want the figure for one case? Ring the arraigning court or the jail at 518-828-3324.

The jail takes bail 24 hours a day, every day. It is part of the Public Safety Facility, 85 Industrial Tract, Hudson, NY 12534, which stands in the Town of Greenport just outside the city.

1. Call 518-828-3324. Have a pen ready, plus the exact name and birth date. Confirm the amount, the bail forms the judge allowed, and whether anything else, like a warrant, blocks release.
2. Gather cash or a certified Western Union money order payable to "Columbia County Sheriff."
3. Planning to use a card? Ask on that same call what information the card service needs.
4. At the jail, show photo ID and complete the bail form (CPL 520.15).
5. Hold on to the receipt, since refunds depend on it.

The law then says release must happen "forthwith," a legal word for immediately (CPL 520.15). Lobby window times on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday are for jail account deposits, which is a different service. Bonds are a separate route too. The Sheriff's staff can't write one, so bonding runs through a licensed bail agent and the court on the case.

Who can take the cash? CPL 520.15 lists three spots: the judge's own court, the sheriff holding the person, or the county treasurer. Phone ahead, because each office decides what it accepts.

• Hudson City Court, 701-B Union Street, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-267-3082. Clerk hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays that aren't state holidays, and the payment window shuts at 3:30 p.m.
• County and Supreme Court, 401 Union Street, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-267-3150, weekdays 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Town and village justice courts set their own schedules. Ask the clerk of the court that fixed bail whether payment can be made there.

When a police agency is still holding someone before arraignment, ask that agency where bail should go. Because the jail never closes, it works at any hour.

Three kinds of payment are listed for bail at the jail:

• Cash for the full amount.
• A certified Western Union money order made payable to the Sheriff.
• A credit card, accepted since September 15, 2008 under a county board resolution. The Sheriff's page names GOVernment PAYment EXP as the card service. The information a card payment needs is kept at the jail, so call 518-828-3324 before you try it.

New York's bail law treats a card payment as a lawful form of bail (CPL 500.10(9)). Stick with one of these three, and for anything else, such as a personal check, ask the jail first. A friend, a relative or anyone else may post cash bail (CPL 500.10(10)). Never put cash in an envelope.

A bondsman, or bail agent, signs a bond guaranteeing the whole bail to the court. You pay a premium for that service. Any agent writing bonds in this state must hold a DFS license, from the Department of Financial Services. Insurance Law § 6804 limits the premium:

• Bonds up to $3,000: at most 10%.
• Larger bonds: 10% of the first $3,000, plus 8% of the next portion up to $10,000, plus 6% above $10,000.
• Example: on a $10,000 bond the top premium is $860.

DFS rules add more protection. Beyond the premium, an agent may pass on only certain expenses, like the cost of a surrender after a court warrant. Should the defendant stay locked up, or be released without money bail, the full premium is refundable within 14 days. Collateral ought to be reasonable, about 10% of the bond. Agents must hand it back within 45 days after getting the exoneration paperwork. Get a signed receipt for each payment and each piece of collateral.

To check a license, use the DFS bail bond search. Report a bondsman who treats you badly through the DFS complaint form. Nonprofit charitable bail groups can also post cash bail.

A paid bail covers only its own case. Other holds to ask about:

• Another court's warrant. Even a small town court's warrant can be served here and in neighboring counties (CPL 530.70).
• A separate open case with its own securing order.
• A probation violation. The county Probation Department is at 11 Warren Street, Suite 3, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-828-4126.
• A state parole hold lodged by a parole officer.
• Federal charges, since this jail also houses federal prisoners.
• An ICE detainer.
• Time already being served on a sentence.

Call 518-828-3324 before you hand over money, and have the officer read off each hold attached to the booking.

Remand means no bail can be posted at all. New York allows it only for certain qualifying felonies (CPL 510.10(4)), so for most charges it isn't an option.

• A class A felony is beyond the reach of city, town and village judges when it comes to release or bail. The same bar applies to anyone with a pair of past felony convictions on record. Those calls belong to County Court (CPL 530.20(2)).
• In a felony case, the District Attorney gets to be heard before a local judge orders release (CPL 530.20(2)).
• The clock matters on felony complaints. Five days in custody (120 hours) is the cap, six when the calendar adds a weekend day or a holiday, and then the person walks out, unless jurors already voted on an indictment or a preliminary hearing got going. The law carves out a few exceptions (CPL 180.80).

The prosecutor arguing for bail or remand works for the elected District Attorney, 325 Columbia Street, Suite 260, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-828-3414.

Only the defense lawyer can file for a change. Families can still help. Bring the lawyer pay stubs, a lease, school records or proof the person cares for children.

1. County Court review. When a local court denied release, lacked power or set bail too high, the lawyer may make a single application to a County Court judge for another look (CPL 530.30).
2. Nominal bail. A defendant may ask at any time for a token amount, and if the request is voluntary the court has to grant it (CPL 510.10(5)).
3. Speedy trial limits. A jailed defendant has to be let out when prosecutors still aren't trial-ready after 90 days on a felony. For misdemeanors with possible jail terms over three months, prosecutors get 30 days (CPL 30.30(2)).

County Court sits at 401 Union Street, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-267-3150.

The person has a right to counsel whenever release is decided, and the court assigns one if they can't afford it (CPL 510.10(2)). Under Executive Law § 832(4), the state aims to have counsel present at every arraignment. Sitting in jail counts as a strong sign of eligibility. Income under 250% of federal poverty guidelines is another.

• Public Defender, 11 Warren Street, Suite 4, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-828-3410. Turn in an Assigned Counsel Application with a copy of the charges, in person or by email. Pay stubs or a recent tax return may be requested.
• Conflict Defender, 11 Warren Street, Suite 2, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-697-3411, for cases the Public Defender has to turn down.
• Assigned Counsel Program, 401 State Street, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-567-9010. This panel of private attorneys covers cases when neither office can.

Felony, family and higher court matters all go to one building on Union Street. Lesser cases start in the courts of the city, towns and villages.

• Supreme, County, Family and Surrogate's Courts, 401 Union Street, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-267-3150. Open weekdays 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. County Court hears felonies.
• Regional Drug Court and Family Treatment Court, same building, 518-267-3164.
• Hudson City Court, 701-B Union Street, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-267-3082.
• Canaan Town Court, County Route 5, PO Box 59, Canaan, NY 12029, 518-781-3749.
• Copake Town Court, 230 Mountain View Road, Copake, NY 12516.
• Gallatin Town Court, PO Box 240, Ancram, NY 12502, 518-398-7690.
• Germantown Town Court, 50 Palatine Road, Germantown, NY 12526, 518-537-6687.
• Ghent Town Court, 2306 State Rte 66, Ghent, NY 12075, 518-392-2706.
• Livingston Town Court, 119 County Route 19, Livingston, NY 12541, 518-851-7210.
• New Lebanon Town Court, 14755 State Route 22, New Lebanon, NY 12125, 518-794-9456.
• Philmont Village Court, Philmont, NY 12565, 518-672-4886.

The remaining town courts serve Ancram, Austerlitz, Chatham, Claverack, Clermont, Greenport, Hillsdale, Kinderhook, Stockport, Stuyvesant and Taghkanic. The Unified Court System's Find a Court form gives their street addresses and session times. A federal case goes instead to Albany's James T. Foley Courthouse, 445 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207, 518-257-1789.

Money put up as cash bail belongs to the person who paid it, not the court, unless a judge declares it forfeited (CPL 520.15). Once the case closes, the judge signs off on giving it back.

• Charges dismissed or a not guilty verdict: the whole sum is refunded.
• Any other result: a 3% county charge comes off the top (General Municipal Law § 99-m).
• The check: CourtHelp notes that refund checks are not issued by the court itself. Ask the clerk where yours will come from, and save your receipt and ID.

Skipping court without a good excuse can cost the whole bail. Courts call this forfeiture (CPL 540.10). Should the person come back and give a good reason before the case's last court date, the judge can lift it. For cash bail, written notice from the county treasurer to the depositor comes first. The deadline to seek a remission, meaning a return of forfeited money, is one year (CPL 540.30).

Refund questions go to the court that fixed bail. County Court's number is 518-267-3150.

On release, the Sheriff's Office cuts a check for any balance left in the person's jail account. Medication given out by the jail stays at the jail and is never handed to relatives.

Items taken at booking, like a wallet, phone or keys, are a separate matter. Phone 518-828-3324 to find out when they can be collected and whether the owner has to sign them over to you. Pickup is at the Public Safety Facility, 85 Industrial Tract, Hudson, NY 12534, and you'll need photo ID. Our jail account guide covers deposits and refunds in more depth.

The Albany Division of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York takes federal criminal cases from this county. Its courtroom building is the James T. Foley Courthouse, 445 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207, 518-257-1789, with office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Under 18 U.S.C. 3142(f), the detention hearing comes at the very first court visit, though defense or prosecution can request more time. Without good cause, a defense delay can't run past five days, and a government delay can't run past three.
• Release turns on the offense, the strength of the evidence, the person's background and community ties, and danger to anyone (18 U.S.C. 3142(g)).
• Until trial, custody of federal defendants rests with the U.S. Marshals Service, whose Albany office is on the 2nd floor at 445 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207, 518-472-5401. The jail in Greenport is one place that houses federal prisoners.
• U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services: 445 Broadway, Room 347, Albany, NY 12207, 518-257-1700.
• Federal Public Defender: 54 State Street, Suite 310, Albany, NY 12207, 518-436-1850.

After sentencing, look them up with the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

Bail ends the state's claim, yet an ICE detainer is a federal request that stands on its own. Expect these steps, roughly in this order:

1. ICE, short for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, lodges a detainer called Form I-247A with jail staff. It asks them to keep custody.
2. That detainer requests a hold of up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
3. ICE officers then pick the person up at the jail.
4. The Buffalo Field Office of ICE, 130 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202, 716-843-7600, oversees the Buffalo (Batavia) Service Processing Center, 4250 Federal Drive, Batavia, NY 14020, 585-344-6500. That is a main ICE site in the state, though a person could be sent elsewhere.
5. Search the ICE Online Detainee Locator to learn where they are.

State law adds limits. In People ex rel. Wells v DeMarco (2018), the Appellate Division decided that civil immigration arrests are outside the powers state law gives New York's state and local officers. Executive Law § 170-k, enacted in May 2026, voided every 287(g) agreement on August 25, 2026. Civil Rights Law § 28 forbids civil arrests of people coming to, attending or leaving court without a judicial warrant or court order.

Short sentences, a year or less, stay at the Greenport jail. Prison terms longer than that go to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).

Once sentenced, the person waits in the jail. The county tells the state when the person is "state ready," and the state then has a ten-business-day window to take them in. At reception, staff weigh health, program and security needs, and only then choose a prison.

• Search DOCCS's Incarcerated Lookup with a name or the DIN, a number DOCCS gives each person.
• For help locating someone during business hours, call DOCCS at 518-457-5000.
• Visit our New York state prisons guide to learn about each facility.

Most teens stay out of adult court because of Raise the Age, a state law for young people. Police holding a child must contact a parent without delay (Family Court Act § 305.2).

• Teens aged 16 and 17 facing felonies start out in the Youth Part, a court section built for them.
• A nonviolent felony case is transferred to Family Court. To keep it in the Youth Part, the District Attorney needs a motion within 30 days showing "extraordinary circumstances" (CPL 722.23).
• Misdemeanor cases for these teens go straight to probation intake.
• Adolescent offenders may not be housed in a jail that holds adults. They are placed in specialized youth detention.
• A held child must appear in Family Court before 72 hours pass, or sooner if a court day arrives first (Family Court Act § 307.3).

Family Court: 401 Union Street, Hudson, NY 12534, 518-267-3150. Youth intake is run by Probation, 11 Warren Street, Suite 3, Hudson, NY 12534. Call 518-828-4126 to learn which detention center has the teen.