N.Y. Penal Law Section 215.59
Bail jumping and failing to respond to an appearance ticket

  • defense
In any prosecution for bail jumping or failing to respond to an appearance ticket, it is an affirmative defense that:

1.

The defendant’s failure to appear on the required date or within thirty days thereafter was unavoidable and due to circumstances beyond his control; and

2.

During the period extending from the expiration of the thirty day period to the commencement of the action, the defendant either:

(a)

appeared voluntarily as soon as he was able to do so, or

(b)

although he did not so appear, such failure of appearance was unavoidable and due to circumstances beyond his control.

Source: Section 215.59 — Bail jumping and failing to respond to an appearance ticket; defense, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/PEN/215.­59 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Feb. 28, 2026).

215.00
Bribing a witness 215.05
Bribe receiving by a witness 215.10
Tampering with a witness in the fourth degree 215.11
Tampering with a witness in the third degree 215.12
Tampering with a witness in the second degree 215.13
Tampering with a witness in the first degree 215.14
Employer unlawfully penalizing witness or victim 215.15
Intimidating a victim or witness in the third degree 215.16
Intimidating a victim or witness in the second degree 215.17
Intimidating a victim or witness in the first degree 215.19
Bribing a juror 215.20
Bribe receiving by a juror 215.22
Providing a juror with a gratuity 215.23
Tampering with a juror in the second degree 215.25
Tampering with a juror in the first degree 215.28
Misconduct by a juror in the second degree 215.30
Misconduct by a juror in the first degree 215.35
Tampering with physical evidence 215.40
Tampering with physical evidence 215.45
Compounding a crime 215.50
Criminal contempt in the second degree 215.51
Criminal contempt in the first degree 215.52
Aggravated criminal contempt 215.54
Criminal contempt 215.55
Bail jumping in the third degree 215.56
Bail jumping in the second degree 215.57
Bail jumping in the first degree 215.58
Failing to respond to an appearance ticket 215.59
Bail jumping and failing to respond to an appearance ticket 215.60
Criminal contempt of the legislature 215.65
Criminal contempt of a temporary state commission 215.66
Criminal contempt of the state commission on judicial conduct 215.70
Unlawful grand jury disclosure 215.75
Unlawful disclosure of an indictment 215.80
Unlawful disposition of assets subject to forfeiture
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Feb. 28, 2026

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 215.59. Bail jumping & failing to respond to an appearance ticket's source at nysenate​.gov

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