Niagara County Jail Inmate Bail & Bonds

A judge, not the police or the jail, sets bail. That decision comes at the first hearing, called an arraignment. The court system's help page puts the usual wait at about 24 hours from the arrest.

Many people never spend a night in jail. Police must give most people facing lower charges an appearance ticket instead of booking them (CPL 150.20). It names the day to come to court, and the person can go. Officers may still hold someone in some cases. Examples are an open warrant, failing to appear in court within the last two years, a crime between relatives or people in the same home, or a charge where an order of protection may be needed.

A person who is held is brought to the court for the place of the arrest. Inside the three cities, that means:

• Lockport City Court, 1 Locks Plaza, Lockport, NY 14094, 716-280-6205
• Niagara Falls City Court, 1925 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14305, 716-371-4100
• North Tonawanda City Court, 216 Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, 716-845-7240

Arrests in the towns go to that town's justice court. The judge has to look at this one person and give the reasons for the choice out loud or in writing (CPL 510.10(1)).

New York calls a release decision a securing order. There are four kinds (CPL 500.10(5)):

• Own recognizance (ROR). Release on a signed promise to return, with nothing paid.
• Non-monetary conditions. The person is released under rules such as reporting in, staying in the area or keeping away from someone. They can't be charged for these rules (CPL 500.10(3-a)).
• Bail. Cash or a bond is posted to get out. Only allowed for qualifying offenses.
• Remand. Jail without any bail amount. Only allowed for a qualifying felony (CPL 510.10(4)).

An ankle monitor is a last resort. The judge can order one only when nothing milder would work, and only after a hearing. Each monitoring order runs up to 60 days and needs a fresh review to renew (CPL 510.40(4)).

Pretrial Services, run by the Probation Department, serves every criminal court in the county. It supervises people released with conditions. Call 716-438-3381 or email pretrialservices@niagaracounty.gov. Probation's main office is at 111 Main Street, Suite 201, Lockport, NY 14094.

There is no set price for each crime in New York. Judges pick a figure for each person. They must consider the person's money and whether paying would cause real hardship (CPL 510.10(1)). Here is how charges sort out:

• Most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies: no money bail. The judge must use ROR or conditions (CPL 530.20(1)(a)).
• Violent felonies, such as robbery or serious assault: bail or remand is possible.
• A crime said to have caused a death: bail or remand is possible.
• Breaking an order of protection that covers a family member: bail is possible.
• A new harmful crime while out on an earlier similar charge: bail is possible.
• Bail jumping, escape, or any felony by someone on probation or post-release supervision: bail is possible.

State figures show how rare money bail has become. In 2024, town and village courts outside New York City set bail in 13% of cases and freed people on their own word in 75%. City courts set bail in 20% (DCJS). To learn the amount in one person's case, phone the court that held the arraignment.

Courts here send families to the jail to pay. Lockport City Court's own page says the county jail takes bail. Once the money is accepted, the law requires release without delay (CPL 520.15). Work through these steps:

1. Call the jail at 716-438-3393. No answer? The Sheriff's non-emergency line is 716-438-3394.
2. Say the person's whole name and when they were born.
3. Ask the bail amount, which forms the judge allowed, and what forms of payment are accepted.
4. Ask what hours bail can be posted, including nights and weekends.
5. Bring a photo ID to 5526 Niagara Street Extension, Lockport, NY 14095.
6. Fill out and sign the bail paperwork. Store the receipt somewhere safe.

Cash bail belongs to the one who paid it, unless a judge declares it forfeited.

State law gives two places for cash bail: the court behind the order, or the sheriff holding the accused (CPL 520.15). Here the courts point families to the jail. Lockport City Court, 1 Locks Plaza, Lockport, NY 14094, 716-280-6205, says bail transactions go through the county jail. Its cashier is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. for fines and fees.

For the other two city courts, call first and ask whether they accept bail:

• Niagara Falls City Court, 1925 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14305, 716-371-4100
• North Tonawanda City Court, 216 Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, 716-845-7240

Someone arrested by Niagara Falls police may first be kept at the city's Holding Center, 1925 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14305, 716-286-4572. Ask the staff there where to pay and whether the person is being sent to the county jail.

Each time bail is set, the judge lists three or more forms it may take. One has to be an unsecured or partially secured bond, picked by the judge (CPL 520.10(2)(b)). In plain words:

• Cash bail: the full sum, paid by the person or by anyone else.
• Credit card: state law treats a card payment as bail (CPL 500.10(9)).
• Partly secured bond: a signed promise for the full sum, backed by a deposit of no more than 10% (CPL 500.10(18)).
• Unsecured bond: a signed promise to pay if the person misses court, with nothing paid up front.
• Secured bond: backed by personal property worth the full sum, or land worth double.
• Insurance company bond: bought from a licensed bail agent.

When a judge names only a dollar amount, an unsecured bond is allowed. Before leaving home, phone the jail at 716-438-3393 to learn which payments it takes and which it refuses. Never mail cash to anyone.

Bail agents need a license from New York's Department of Financial Services (DFS). Look one up on the DFS bail agent search. The fee, called a premium, has a legal cap (Insurance Law § 6804):

• 10% of the first $3,000 of the bond
• 8% of the part from $3,000 to $10,000
• 6% of anything above $10,000

That means a $5,000 bond costs $460 at most. Agents normally keep the premium. The agent must refund all of it within 14 days if the person never gets out, or if the judge frees them without money bail. Extra fees are banned, apart from a few listed costs. DFS gives 10% of the bond as a fair example of collateral, which is something of value the agent holds. Collateral must be handed back within 45 days after the agent receives the papers ending the bond, unless there was a forfeiture. Insist on a signed receipt for every payment. Overcharging is a crime, and you can report it on the DFS complaint page.

Bail only settles one case. These can still keep a person inside:

• Another case or warrant. A second court may have its own warrant or bail.
• Probation. Any felony by someone on probation lets the judge set bail. Probation's main office is at 111 Main Street, Suite 201, Lockport, NY 14094, 716-438-4055.
• State parole. For someone on parole, ask the jail whether the state has a hold in place. Check status on the DOCCS parolee lookup.
• A federal case. The U.S. Marshals Service has had an agreement to keep federal prisoners at this jail.
• An immigration detainer. New York rules limit what a jail may do with one.

Ask jail staff at 716-438-3393 to read off all holds before you pay.

With remand, there is no bail to post. A judge may use it only for a qualifying felony (CPL 510.10(4)). City, town and village judges also have a limit. They have no power to release or set bail for anyone facing a class A felony, or for anyone with two prior felony convictions (CPL 530.20(2)). Those cases wait for County Court.

On a felony, a city or town judge must first hear from the prosecutor and see a criminal record report before any release. The judge weighs things like past missed court dates, the person's record, any gun history and their money situation (CPL 510.10(1)).

The District Attorney's office is the side that asks for bail or remand. It has two offices:

• Main office, 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094 (third floor), 716-439-7085
• Niagara Falls office, 1925 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14305, 716-286-4518

Start with the defense lawyer. A family can help in two ways:

1. Back a new request to the same judge. Gather proof of a job, a steady home, and what the family can truly afford. The law tells judges to weigh money and hardship.
2. Support a review by a higher judge. If a city or town court set bail too high or refused release, the lawyer can bring it to a County Court judge. Only one such review is allowed, and on a felony the prosecutor is heard first (CPL 530.30).

The law also sets a deadline. If someone sits in jail on a felony complaint for 120 hours (or 144 hours when the count runs over a weekend or holiday) with no preliminary hearing started and no grand jury vote, they must be released, with a few exceptions (CPL 180.80). County Court is at 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094, 716-280-6400.

People have a right to a lawyer whenever bail is set or reviewed, and one is assigned to those who can't pay (CPL 510.10(2)). State plans call for a lawyer to be there at arraignment, without making the hearing wait (Executive Law § 832(4)). Courts presume a person qualifies when they are locked up or their income is below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. The judge decides.

• Main office: 80 Washburn, Lockport, NY 14094, 716-439-7071. Weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Niagara Falls office: 1925 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14305, 716-278-1899.
• North Tonawanda office: 500 Wheatfield Street, North Tonawanda, NY 14120. Use the main office phone.
• Conflict Office: 169 Niagara Street, Lockport, NY 14094, 716-439-7310.

Ask the judge or the Public Defender which office will handle the case. The state's rules are explained by the Office of Indigent Legal Services.

This county belongs to New York's Eighth Judicial District. Criminal cases from here are heard in these courts:

• County Court and Supreme Court, 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094, 716-280-6400. Weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Supreme and County Court, Angelo DelSignore Civic Building, 775 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301, 716-371-4000
• Lockport City Court, 1 Locks Plaza, Lockport, NY 14094, 716-280-6205
• Niagara Falls City Court, 1925 Main Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14305, 716-371-4100
• North Tonawanda City Court, 216 Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, 716-845-7240
• Family Court, 775 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301, 716-371-4050, and 175 Hawley Street, Lockport, NY 14094, 716-280-6500

Each of the 12 towns runs a justice court:

• Cambria: 4160 Upper Mountain Road, Sanborn, NY 14132, 716-433-7664
• Hartland: 8942 Ridge Road, Gasport, NY 14067, 716-735-7239
• Lewiston: 1375 Ridge Road, Lewiston, NY 14092, 716-754-8213
• Town of Lockport: 6564 Dysinger Road, Lockport, NY 14094, 716-439-9528
• Newfane: 2896 Transit Road, Newfane, NY 14108, 716-778-9292
• Niagara: 7105 Lockport Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14305, 716-215-1480
• Pendleton: 6570 Campbell Boulevard, Lockport, NY 14094, 716-625-8833
• Porter: 3265 Creek Road, Youngstown, NY 14174, 716-745-3730, extension 6
• Royalton: 5316 Royalton Center Road, Middleport, NY 14105, 716-772-2588
• Somerset: 8700 Haight Road, Barker, NY 14012, 716-795-9193
• Wheatfield: 2800 Church Road, North Tonawanda, NY 14120, 716-694-6793
• Wilson: 375 Lake Street, Wilson, NY 14172, 716-751-0549

Federal charges are heard at 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202 (Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse), 716-551-1700.

Once the charges are over, the cash is repaid if every hearing date was kept. Usually 3% is kept as a fee. The whole fee is returned when the charges are dismissed or the person is acquitted (General Municipal Law § 99-m). State court guidance notes that refund checks are not mailed by the court.

Skipping court with no good reason allows a forfeiture order, so the money may be lost (CPL 540.10). If the person shows up and explains before the case wraps up, the judge can cancel that order. The county must send written notice to whoever posted the cash. To ask for lost bail to be returned, file within one year with a superior court in the county (CPL 540.30).

For timing on a refund, phone the court handling the charges. For county money questions, dial 716-439-7000 and ask for the Treasurer's office. Hold on to the original receipt and carry a photo ID.

Before the release, find out about leftover account money and the things taken at booking. Phone the jail at 716-438-3393. Ask how the balance is refunded, when items can be collected, and whether a friend may collect them for the person.

Show a photo ID at 5526 Niagara Street Extension, Lockport, NY 14095. Our page on inmate accounts covers how deposits and leftover balances usually work.

Cases brought under federal law are heard by the Buffalo Division of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. Hearings take place at 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202 (Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse), 716-551-1700. The clerk works weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Will they wait for trial at home? A federal judge answers that at a detention hearing on the first court day (18 U.S.C. 3142).
• Until trial, a federal defendant behind bars is in Marshals custody. The U.S. Marshals Service office sits at 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202-3350, 716-348-5300.
• The Marshals have had an agreement to house federal prisoners at the county jail, so a person may stay close to home.
• The Federal Public Defender is at 300 Pearl Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14202, 716-551-3341.
• Once sentenced, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator to see where they are.

Posting state bail doesn't cancel an immigration request. This is how it tends to go:

1. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) puts a hold on the person by sending the jail Form I-247A.
2. It requests that the person be kept up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released (8 CFR 287.7(d)).
3. Officers from ICE pick the person up. The agency's Buffalo Field Office is at 130 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202, 716-843-7600.
4. Many are taken to the Buffalo (Batavia) Service Processing Center, 4250 Federal Drive, Batavia, NY 14020, 585-344-6500.
5. Look the person up on the ICE Online Detainee Locator. Have the person's country of birth handy, since the search asks for it.

New York law changes what local jails may do. In People ex rel. Wells v DeMarco (2018), a state appeals court held that New York officers have no power under state law to arrest people for civil immigration violations. The Attorney General advises honoring a detainer only when a judge signed a warrant. Executive Law § 170-k, passed in 2026, bars 287(g) agreements, and existing ones became void on August 25, 2026. The Attorney General's July 2026 letter named this county's Sheriff's Office as one of 12 agencies that had such an agreement. Civil Rights Law § 28 also bars civil immigration arrests of people going to or from court without a judge's warrant or order.

Anything over a year means state prison, under the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). Following the sentence, the county jail keeps the person until DOCCS transfers them. They first pass through an intake center to be assessed, then move to a prison that suits them.

• Find them on the DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup by name and birth year, or by DIN, the state ID number.
• Our New York state prisons guide covers each facility.
• Shorter sentences, a year or under, are spent in the county jail.

New York's Raise the Age law changed how teens are charged. A felony charge against a teen aged 16 or 17 starts in the Youth Part of the superior court, and many are moved to Family Court. Teens accused of misdemeanors skip adult court and go to the probation department's intake staff. A teen can't be held in a jail for adults. They go to a youth detention center on the state Office of Children and Family Services list.

Officers who take a child into custody must notify a parent at once (Family Court Act § 305.2). If the child stays locked up, the case must reach Family Court within 72 hours or by the next day court is open, whichever comes first (Family Court Act § 307.3).

To learn where the youth is held, call Probation's Family Court unit in Niagara Falls at 716-278-8241. Its office is at 1001 11th Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301.