New York City Criminal Court NYC Criminal Court Glossary

A Partially Secured Bond (PSB) is a New York bail option where a defendant or loved one pays a small percentage—typically 10% or less—of the total bail amount directly to the court to secure release. If the defendant makes all court appearances, the deposit is returned, whereas failure to appear makes the full bail amount due. 

A written accusation filed with the court charging the defendant with one or more offenses.

A postponement of a criminal case.

The court proceeding during which a person is informed of the charges against him or her.

When the police take a person into custody on probable cause with or without a warrant.

Bail refers to "cash bail" or a "bail bond". Cash bail means a sum of money, set by the court, posted by the defendant or any other person, upon the condition that the money will be forfeited to the state if the defendant does not comply with the directions of the court requiring his or her attendance at the criminal proceeding.

Bail bond is a form of bail and when this term is used in the Criminal Court it almost always refers to a bail bond issued by a recognized insurance company. It is a guarantee to the court by the insurance company that while the defendant is at liberty as a result of the posting of the bail bond, he or she will appear in court in the criminal action whenever his or her attendance is required. If the defendant fails to appear as required, the insurance company will pay to the court the specified sum of money designated by the court which set the bail.

A court order issued for a defendant's arrest if he or she fails to appear for a court proceeding other than an arraignment.

An official court document that indicates the current status of a case or its final disposition.

A certificate issued by the State Board of Parole to eligible persons who have two or more felony convictions and any number of misdemeanor convictions. A Certificate of Good Conduct removes barriers to occupational licensing and the right to seek public office imposed by state or municipal law, and is proof of rehabilitation an employer is required by law to consider when an individual applies for a job.

A Certificate of Relief from Civil Disabilities may be granted by the court to a defendant who has been sentenced to a revocable sentence (probation, conditional discharge, etc.) or a sentence other than one executed by commitment to a state correctional facility. The Certificate relieves the eligible offender of any forfeiture or disability or removes any bar to his/her employment automatically imposed by law because of his/her conviction, such as with state or municipal government.

An application for a certificate can be obtained at the clerk's office of the court where the sentence was given. For more information, see Article 23 of the Correction Law.

When the court enters a plea of guilty or a finding of guilt by a jury or the Court.

A $5.00 fee imposed upon conviction of a felony, misdemeanor, or violation.

A person or corporation charged with committing an offense.

DAT) - A written notice given by a police officer to a person arrested, requiring him/her to appear in court at a later date for arraignment.

A legal process by which lawyers are entitled to find out information from their adversary in a pending case.

A nine-character court reference number that identifies a criminal court case. The first two digits indicate the year in which the case was filed. The third character is a letter that identifies the county in which to case was filed*. The final six digits identify the specific case.

* N = New York (Manhattan); K = Kings (Brooklyn); Q = Queens; X = Bronx; R = Richmond (Staten Island); C = Midtown Community Court

Testimony and exhibits introduced at a hearing or a trial.

Physical evidence introduced at a hearing or trial.

An offense for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment in excess of one year may be imposed. For the purpose of sentence, felonies are divided into five categories or classes: A, B, C, D and E felonies. Class A felonies are divided into two sub-categories: A-I and A-II felonies. Class A felonies carry the longest jail sentences and class E felonies carry the shortest jail sentences for felony cases. Jail sentences for misdemeanor and violations or infractions are even shorter.

A sentence that requires the payment of money to the court.

Reproductions of unique finger marks, which are used to identify people.

A group of citizens who decide whether the prosecutor has enough evidence to pursue felony (and perhaps also misdemeanor) charges against a person.

A court proceeding where testimony is given, exhibits are reviewed, and/or legal arguments are made to help a judge decide an issue in a case.

A document that contains the felony (and perhaps also misdemeanor) charges that were voted by the grand jury.

A person found by the court to be unable to afford to hire a lawyer or otherwise meet the expense of defending a criminal matter. If the defendant is determined to be indigent, a defense counsel is appointed by the court.