Informal Opinion No.

Glenn S. Hackett, Esq. County Attorney, Niagara

I am writing in response to a request from your office for an Attorney General's opinion as to various matters concerning bail bonds.

Initially you have asked how long a bail bond remains valid and whether they expire after a certain date if not formally discharged or exonerated.

By way of background, we note that the purpose of bail is to ensure a defendant's appearance in court (People ex rel. Weisenfeld v Warden N.Y.Detention Facility at Rikers Island, 37 N.Y.2d 760, 761 [1975]). Most of the provisions governing bail and bail bonds are set forth…