{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "215.59", "citation": "Penal Law § 215.59", "heading": "Bail jumping and failing to respond to an appearance ticket; defense", "text": ["§ 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."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/215.59", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "For bail jumping or failure to answer an appearance ticket, it is an affirmative defense that:\n- **(1)** missing the required date and the following **30 days** was unavoidable and beyond the defendant’s control; and\n- **(2)(a)** the defendant then **appeared voluntarily as soon as able**, or **(2)(b)** the continued nonappearance remained unavoidable and beyond the defendant’s control. ★", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/215.59", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}