How Does The New York Supreme Court Work?

The New York Supreme Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in the State Unified Court System. Although the court has unlimited jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases, it typically only hears cases that are outside the jurisdiction of lower courts of limited authority. In fact, with the exception of New York City, the Supreme Court primarily serves as the court of civil jurisdiction, with the majority of criminal cases handled by the County Court.

The New York Supreme Court is different from its equivalents in other states for two distinct reasons: first, the Supreme Court functions as a trial court and not the highest appellate court in the state. The court of last resort in New York is the Court of Appeals. Second, although the New York Supreme Court is a trial court, it does not function as an aggregation of separate courts sitting in several counties or judicial districts of the state. Rather, it sits as a single great tribunal of general statewide jurisdiction. As such, the Supreme Courts in each of New York’s 62 counties are basically branches of a single unit.

Cases within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court include:

• Unlimited monetary claims beyond the jurisdiction of lower courts
• Exclusive jurisdiction over matrimonial matters such as divorce and annulment
• Equitable claims such as injunctions, contract rescission, declaratory judgment actions, and specific performance
• Exclusive jurisdiction over Article 78 proceedings—that is, claims against an officer or body seeking to overturn an official resolution on the grounds that it was unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious or inconsistent with the law
• For New York City Supreme Courts, criminal jurisdiction in felony offenses

Generally speaking, the Supreme Courts in New York have no jurisdiction over:

• Claims against the state government
• Cases under federal law including bankruptcy cases, copyright and patent proceedings, federal crimes, and personal damage matters filed under the federal antitrust laws
• Administrative cases involving administrative agencies
• Matters involving questions of law

The Supreme Court has established specialized units to serve varying functions. For instance, the court’s appellate division operates as the intermediate appellate court in the state. The Commercial Division of the Supreme Court focuses on commercial litigation proceedings and is often referred to as the Business Court.

The Supreme Court System is divided into thirteen judicial districts: one district serving Long Island, five districts corresP. O.nding to the five boroughs of New York City, and seven upstate districts, each encompassing about five and eleven counties.

The Court Administrator is resP. O.nsible for supervising and managing the trial court outside New York City. In New York City, an administrator, usually a judge, is assigned to supervise each major court. The Court Administrators (Administrative Judges) usually establish individual assignment systems to ensure a streamlined court administrative process. The Chief Administrator usually authorizes a random selection method that must be followed by clerks when assigning filed cases to judges.

Judges of New York Supreme Courts are titled Justices. The judicial P. O.sition is filled by election following nominations by nomination conventions in each judicial district. In actuality, the nomination process is partisan, with P. O.litical parties influencing and restricting the nomination to candidates that have received party approval. Cross-endorsements by different P. O.litical parties are common but not always certain. After the nomination process is completed, contestants and incumbent justices seeking re-elections must actively campaign for their prospective P. O.sitions.

Generally, Supreme Court Justice aspirants must meet the P. O.sition’s eligibility criteria before they may be considered:

• They must be admitted to practice law in New York for at least ten years
• They must be greater than 18 years of age
• They must be citizens of New York State
• They must be residents of the county from which they beseech P. O.sition

A single tenure of a Supreme Court justice is 14 years. While re-elections are common, a justice may be prompted to leave office on grounds of retirement, illness, or judicial misconduct. Even then, justices may serve until they are 76 years old, provided it is certified that they are mentally and physically capable to discharge the duties of the office. Such certifications are issued every two years until the maximum retirement age is attained (N. Y. Const. Art. VI § 25 (b))..

In practice, some judges of the New York Court of Claims, New York Family Court, New York City Civil Court, and New York City Criminal Court are designated as “Acting Supreme Court Justices” to inhibit the increasing number of pending cases in the supreme court. It is worthy to note that the retirement-certification-retention process is open to only elected Supreme Court Justices and not to acting justices that are primarily elected or apP. O.inted to lower courts.

Pursuant to Section 255 of the New York Judiciary Law, Supreme Court Records are maintained and disseminated by the clerk of court and not the Office of Court Administration (OCA). Requests submitted to the court clerk must be for a specific record, and include relevant details necessary to locate the record. Older records are archived and maintained by the corresP. O.nding County Clerk.

The New York State Unified Court System features a searchable database known as WebCivil Supreme where users can remotely access records of civil cases filed with all supreme courts in the state. Interested parties may launch searches on the database using index number, party name, attorney name, or justice name.

The state’s unified court system also provides an e-Track Database where interested persons can obtain updated information on active Civil Supreme Court cases in all counties in the state.

It is also P. O.ssible to obtain paper copies from the particular Supreme Courthouse where a case was filed. Note that court clerk are allowed to charge a fee for reproducing and certifying court records. Requesters are recommended to contact the court clerk to ascertain copy fees and payment methods, and for additional inquiries. The addresses, and contact details of the Supreme Courts are listed below:

Albany County (3 Locations)

Albany County Supreme Court

Albany County Courthouse, Room 102

16 Eagle Street

Albany, NY 12207

Phone: (518) 285–8989

Fax: (518)453–8697

Albany County Supreme Court

112 State Street

Suite 1212

Albany, NY 12207

Phone: (518) 285–8989

Albany County Supreme Court

50 Chapel Street

1st Floor

Albany, NY 12207

Phone: (518) 285–8989

Allegany County

Allegany County Supreme Court

7 Court Street

Belmont, NY 14813–1084

Phone: (585) 449–3416

Fax: (585) 449–3474

Chief Clerk’s Phone: (585) 449–3462

Deputy Chief Clerk’s Phone: (585) 449–3462

Broome County

Broome County Courthouse

92 Court Street

P. O. Box 1766

Binghamton, NY 13902

Phone: (607) 240–5800

Fax: (607) 240–5940

Bronx County Supreme Court, Civil Term

851 Grand Concourse

Bronx County Supreme Court

Bronx, NY 10451

Phone: (718) 618–1400

Bronx County Supreme Court, Criminal

851 Grand Concourse

Bronx County Supreme Court

Bronx, NY 10451

Phone: (718) 590–3803

Bronx County Supreme Court, Criminal

265 East 161st Street

Bronx, NY 10451

Phone: (718) 618–3100

Cattaraugus County

Cattaraugus County Supreme Court

303 Court Street

Little Valley, NY 14755

Phone: (716) 379–6636

Fax: (716) 938–6413

Chief Clerk’s Phone: (716) 379–6639

Deputy Chief Clerk’s Phone: (716) 379–6640

Cayuga County Supreme & County Court

152 Genesee Street

Auburn, NY 13021

Phone: (315) 237–6450 Option 1

Fax: (315) 237–6451

Chautauqua County

Chautauqua County Supreme Court

1 North Erie Street

Chautauqua County Courthouse

Mayville, NY 14757

Phone: (716) 753–4266

Fax: (716) 753–4993

Chemung County

Chemung County Supreme Court (M-B)

203–205 Lake Street

Hazlett Building, 6th Floor

Elmira, NY 14901

Phone: (607) 873–9450

Chenango County

Chenango County Supreme Court

13 Eaton Avenue

Norwich, NY 13815

Phone: (607) 337–1457

Fax: (917) 522–3477

Clinton County

Clinton County Supreme Court

137 Margaret Street

Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Phone: (518)536–3840

Email: ClintonSupremeCo@nycourts.gov

Columbia County

Columbia County Supreme Court

401 Union Street

Hudson, NY 12534

Phone: (518) 267–3150

Fax: (518) 267–3126

Cortland County Supreme Court

46 Greenbush Street, Suite 301

Cortland, NY 13045

Phone: (607) 218–3320

Fax: (646) 963–6452

Email: CortlandSC@nycourts.gov

Delaware County

Delaware County Supreme Court

3 Court Street

Delhi, NY 13753

Phone: (607) 376–5400

Fax: (646) 963–6402

Dutchess County

Dutchess County Supreme Court

10 Market Street

P. O.ughkeepsie, NY 12601

Phone: (845) 431–1710

Fax: (845) 431–1743

Erie County

Erie County Supreme Court

25 Delaware Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14202

Phone: (716) (845) 9301

Fax: (716) 851–3293

Erie County Supreme Court 2

92 Franklin Street

Buffalo, NY 14202

Phone: (716) (845) 9301

Fax: (716) 851–3293

Erie County Supreme Court 3

50 Delaware Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14202

Phone: (716) (845) 9301

Fax: (716) 851–3293

Essex County

Essex County Supreme Court

7559 Court Street

P. O. Box 217

Elizabethtown, NY 12932

Phone: (518)873–3370

Fax: (518) 451–8738

Franklin County Supreme Court

355 West Main Street

Malone, NY 12953

Phone: (518) 353–7340

Fulton County

Fulton County Supreme Court

223 West Main Street

Johnstown, NY 12095

Phone: (518) 736–5662

Fax: (518) 762–5078

Genesee County

Genesee County Supreme Court

1 West Main Street

Batavia, NY 14020

Phone: (585) 201–5715

Fax: (585) 344–8517

Greene County

Greene County Supreme Court

320 Main Street

Catskill, NY 12414

Phone: (518) 625–3160

Fax: (518) 625–3122

Hamilton County

Hamilton County Supreme Court 1

102 County View Drive

Lake Pleasant, NY 12108

Phone: (518) 648–5411

Fax: (518) 453–8687

Hamilton County Supreme Court 2

223 West Main Street

Johnstown, NY 12095

Phone: (518) 736–5539

Fax: (518) 451–8744

Mail Address:

139 White Birch Lane

P. O. Box 780

Indian Lake, NY 12842

Herkimer County

Herkimer County Supreme Court

301 North Washington Street

Herkimer, NY 13350

Phone: (315) 619–3400

Fax: (315) 266–4683

Jefferson County

Jefferson County Supreme Court

317 Washington Street

Watertown, NY 13601

Phone: (315) 221–5818

Fax: (315) 266–4779

Kings County

Kings County Supreme Court - Civil Term

360 Adams Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Phone: (718) 675–7699

Kings County Supreme Court - Criminal Term

320 Jay Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Phone: (347) 296–1076

Fax: (347) 296–1977

Lewis County Supreme Court

Lewis County Courthouse

7660 North State Street

Lowville, NY 13367

Phone: (315) 376–5366

Fax: (315) 376–4145

Livingston County Supreme Court

2 Court Street

Geneseo, NY 14454

Phone: (585) 371–3920

Fax: (585) 371–3935

Madison County Supreme Court

Madison County Courthouse

138 North Court Street

P. O. Box 545

Wampsville, NY 13163

Phone: (315) 231–5301

Fax: (646) 963–6588

Monroe County Supreme Court

Hall of Justice

99 Exchange Blvd

Room 545

Rochester, NY 14614

Phone: (585) 371–3758

Fax: (585) 371–3780

Montgomery County Supreme Court

58 Broadway

P. O. Box 1500

Fonda, NY 12068

Phone: (518) 853–4516

Fax: (518) 853–3596

Nassau County Supreme Court

100 Supreme Court Drive

Mineola, NY 11501

Phone: (516) 493–3400

Nassau County Supreme Court

Nassau County Matrimonial Center

400 County Seat Drive

Mineola, NY 11501

Phone: (516) 493–3444

New York County Supreme Court - Civil Branch

80 Centre Street

New York, NY 10013

Phone: (646) 386–3685

Fax: (212) 374–3326

New York County Supreme Court - Civil Branch

111 Centre Street

New York, NY 10013

Phone: (646) 386–3685

Fax: (212) 374–3326

New York County Supreme Court - Civil Branch

71 Thomas Street

New York, NY 10013

Phone: (646) 386–3770

Fax: (212) 374–3326

New York County Supreme Court - Civil Branch

60 Centre Street

New York, NY 10007

Phone: (646) 386–3600

Fax: (212) 374–3326

New York County Supreme Court - Criminal Term

111 Centre Street

New York, NY 10013

Phone: (646) 386–4300

Fax: (212) 374–2637

New York County Supreme Court - Criminal Term

100 Centre Street

New York, NY 10013

Phone: (646) 386–4000

Fax: (212) 374–0667

Niagara County Supreme Court

Angelo A. DelSignore Civic Building

775 3rd Street

Niagara Falls, NY 14301

Phone: (716) 371–4000

Fax: (716) 371–4040

Niagara County Supreme Court

Angelo A. DelSignore Civic Building

775 3rd Street

Niagara Falls, NY 14301

Phone: (716) 371–4000

Fax: (716) 371–4040

Oneida County Supreme Court

Oneida County Supreme Court - Rome

Oneida County Courthouse

302 North James Street

Rome, NY 13440

Phone: (315) 266–4300

Fax: (315) 356–0603

Oneida County Supreme Court - Utica

Oneida County Courthouse

200 Elizabeth Street

Utica, NY 13501

Phone: (315) 266–4200

Fax: (315) 798–6436

Onondaga County Supreme Court

Onondaga County Courthouse

401 Montgomery Street

Syracuse, NY 13202

Phone: (315) 671–1030

Fax: (315) 671–1176

Onondaga County Supreme Court -Civil

Dedicated Matrimonial Part

Hughes State Office Building

333 East Washington Street

Syracuse, NY 13202

Phone: (315) 728–7237

Phone: (315) 728–7238

Onondaga County Supreme Court - Integrated Domestic Violence Court

Onondaga County Courthouse

401 Montgomery Street

Room 203

Syracuse, NY 13202

Phone: (315) 671–2050

Fax: (315) 671–1170

Ontario County

Ontario County Supreme Court

27 North Main Street

Canandaigua, NY 14424

Phone: (585) 412–5300

Fax: (585) 412–5327

Orange County

Orange County Supreme Court

285 Main Street

Goshen, NY 10924

Phone: (845) 476–3500

Fax: (845) 291–2525

Orleans County

Orleans County Supreme Court

1 South Main Street, Suite 3

Albion, NY 14411

Phone: (585) 283–6657

Fax: (585) 589–0632

Oswego County

Oswego County Supreme Court

Oswego County Courthouse

25 East Oneida Street

Oswego, NY 13126

Phone: (315) 207–7500

Fax: (315) 266–4519

Otsego County

Otsego County Supreme Court

197 Main Street

Cooperstown, NY 13326

Phone: (607) 547–4364

Fax: (646) 963–6663

Mailing address:

197 Main Street

Cooperstown, NY 13326

Putnam County

Putnam County Supreme Court

20 County Center

Carmel, NY 10512

Phone: (845) 208–7830

Fax: (845) 208–7869

Queens County

Queens County Supreme Court - Civil Term

88–11 Sutphin Blvd

Jamaica, NY 11435

Phone: (718) 298–1000

Fax: (718) 298–1176

Queens County Supreme Court - Civil Term

25–10 Court Square

Long Island City, NY 11101

Phone: (718) 298–1000

Fax: (718) 520–2539

Queens County Supreme Court - Criminal Term

125–01 Queens Blvd

Kew Gardens, NY 11415

Phone: (718) 298–1408

Fax: (718) 520–2494

Rensselaer County

Rensselaer County Supreme Court

80 Second Street

Troy, NY 12180

Phone: (518) 285–5025

Fax: (518) 285–5077

Richmond County

Richmond County Supreme Court - Civil and Criminal

26 Central Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10301

Phone: (718) 675–8700

Fax: (212) 952–7215

Richmond County Supreme Court - Matrimonial Division

18 Richmond Terrace

Staten Island, NY 10301

Phone: (718) 675–8700

Fax: (718) 390–5435

Rockland County

Rockland County Supreme Court

1 South Main Street

New City, NY 10956

Phone: (845) 483–8310

Fax: (914) 358–8058

Saratoga County

Saratoga County Supreme Court

30 McMaster Street

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

Phone: (518) 451–8840

Fax: (518) 453–5937

Schenectady County

Schenectady County Supreme Court

612 State Street

Schenectady, NY 12305

Phone: (518) 285–8401

Fax: (518) 451–8731

Schoharie County

Schoharie County Supreme Court

Schoharie County Courthouse

290 Main Street

Schoharie, NY 12157

Phone: (518) 295–8342

Fax: (518) 295–7226

Schuyler County

Schuyler County Supreme Court

Schuyler County Courthouse

105 9th Street, Unit 35

Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Phone: (607) 228–3350

Fax: (646) 963–6590

Seneca County

Seneca County Supreme Court

48 West Williams Street

Waterloo, NY 13165

Phone: (315) 835–6229

Fax: (315) 835–6234

St. Lawrence County

St. Lawrence County Supreme Court

St. Lawrence County Courthouse

48 Court Street

Canton, NY 13617

Phone: (315) 379–2219

Fax: (315) 379–2423

Steuben County

Steuben County Supreme Court

3 East Pulteney Square

Bath, NY 14810

Phone: (607) 622–8219

Fax: (607) 622–8244

Suffolk County

Suffolk County Supreme Court

Hon. Alan D. Oshrin Supreme Court Building

1 Court Street

Riverhead, NY 11901

Phone: (631) 852–2334

Fax: (631) 852–2340

Suffolk County Supreme Court

Cohalan Court Complex

400 Carleton Avenue

P. O. Box 9075

Central Islip, NY 11722

Phone: (631) 853–5423

Fax: (631) 853–5385

Suffolk County Supreme Court

Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex

210 Center Drive

Riverhead, NY 11901

Phone: (631) 852–2334

Sullivan County

Sullivan County Supreme Court

Lawrence H. Cooke Sullivan County Courthouse

414 Broadway

Monticello, NY 12701

Phone: (845) 791–3540

Fax: (845) 791–6170

Tioga County Supreme Court

20 Court Street

P. O. Box 307

Owego, NY 13827

Phone: (607) 689–6102

Fax: (212) 401–5970

Tompkins County Supreme Court

320 North Tioga Street

P. O. Box 70

Ithaca, NY 14851

Phone: (607) 216–6610

Fax: (212) 401–9071

Ulster County Supreme Court

Ulster County Courthouse

285 Wall Street

Kingston, NY 12401

Phone: (845) 481–9375

Fax: (845) 476–3619

Warren County Supreme Court

1340 State Route 9

Lake George, NY 12845

Phone: (518) 761–6430

Fax: (518) 761–6253

Washington County

Washington County Supreme Court

383 Broadway

Fort Edward, NY 12828

Phone: (518) 746–2521

Fax: (518) 746–2519

Wayne County

Wayne County Supreme Court

54 Broad Street

Lyons, NY 14489

Phone: (315) 665–8117

Fax: (315) 665–8111

Westchester County

Westchester County Supreme Court

111 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

White Plains, NY 10601

Phone: (914) 824–5300 (Civil)

Fax: (914) 824–5873 (Civil)

Phone: (914) 824–5400 (Criminal)

Fax: (914) 824–5065 (Criminal)

Wyoming County Supreme Court

147 North Main Street

Warsaw, NY 14569

Phone: (585) 228–3199

Fax: (585) 228–3236

Yates County Supreme Court

415 Liberty Street

Penn Yan, NY 14527

Phone: (315) 835–6308

Fax: (315) 835–6309