Cortland County Correctional Facility Criminal Court Process

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Criminal Court Process for Cortland County New York

Cortland County sits in central New York between Syracuse and Binghamton along Interstate 81, and the City of Cortland is the county seat. Arrests inside the city are handled in Cortland City Court, while the county's fifteen town courts take cases from the surrounding towns; felonies that are indicted move to Cortland County Court in the courthouse on Greenbush Street. The Cortland County District Attorney prosecutes. People held before trial stay at the Cortland County Jail, operated by the Sheriff in downtown Cortland.

  • Cortland County Court (Sixth Judicial District), Cortland County Courthouse, 46 Greenbush Street, Suite 301, Cortland, NY 13045, (607) 218-3320
  • Cortland City Court, 25 Court Street, Cortland, NY 13045, (607) 218-3300
  • Cortland County Family Court, 46 Greenbush Street, Suite 301, Cortland, NY 13045, (607) 218-3325
  • Cortland County Public Defender, County Office Building, 60 Central Avenue, Room B27, Cortland, NY 13045, (607) 753-5046
  • Cortland County Assigned Counsel Plan (conflict cases), 60 Central Avenue, Cortland, NY 13045, (607) 428-5459
  • Cortland County Sheriff's Office and Jail, 54 Greenbush Street, Cortland, NY 13045, (607) 753-3311

Which court hears your case. Charges at the level of a violation, misdemeanor or DWI are decided in the local criminal court where the offense happened. For the city that is Cortland City Court on Court Street; for the rest of the county it is the Town Court of the town involved, such as Cortlandville, Homer, Virgil or Marathon. Felonies are first arraigned in those same courts, or at an off-hours arraignment session for overnight and weekend arrests, an arrangement many counties now handle through centralized arraignment parts. Once a grand jury indicts, or the defendant waives indictment in favor of a superior court information, the felony is heard in Cortland County Court. Felony charges against 16- and 17-year-olds are sent to the County Court's Youth Part, discussed in the juvenile section.

Where pretrial detainees are held. Cortland City Police, the Sheriff, State Police, SUNY Cortland University Police and village departments make most arrests. A person who is not released at arraignment is lodged at the Cortland County Jail, which the Sheriff runs at 54 Greenbush Street, within walking distance of the courthouse. The jail holds people waiting for trial and those serving sentences of up to a year. For custody status, bail payment or visiting, contact the Sheriff's Office at (607) 753-3311.

Local courts in Cortland County (city, town and village courts)

Cortland County has one city court and a justice court in each of its fifteen towns. Cortlandville, which surrounds the city and includes the Route 13 shopping area and I-81 interchanges, has one of the busier town calendars. Smaller courts such as Cuyler, Willet or Lapeer may meet only a couple of times a month. Call the court clerk to confirm the session time before going.

City Courts

  • Cortland City Court — 25 Court Street, Cortland, NY 13045, (607) 218-3300

Town Courts

  • Town of Cincinnatus Court — 2770 Lower Cincinnatus Road, Cincinnatus, NY 13040, (607) 863-4220
  • Town of Cortlandville Court — 3577 Terrace Road, Cortland, NY 13045, (607) 756-2352
  • Town of Cuyler Court — P.O. Box 363, DeRuyter, NY 13052, (607) 842-6335
  • Town of Freetown Court — 2369 McGraw-Marathon Road, Marathon, NY 13803, (607) 745-0784
  • Town of Harford Court — Town Hall, 394 Route 38, P.O. Box 10, Harford, NY 13784, (607) 844-3982
  • Town of Homer Court — 4 Water Street, Homer, NY 13077, (607) 749-2326
  • Town of Lapeer Court — 1145 Quail Hill Road, Marathon, NY 13803, (607) 743-3313
  • Town of Marathon Court — 40 West Main Street, P.O. Box 366, Marathon, NY 13803, (607) 849-6960
  • Town of Preble Court — Town Hall, 1968 Preble Road, P.O. Box 234, Preble, NY 13141, (607) 749-2377
  • Town of Scott Court — Town Hall, 6689 State Route 41, Homer, NY 13077, (607) 591-5662
  • Town of Solon Court — 4012 North Tower Road, Cincinnatus, NY 13040, (607) 836-6036
  • Town of Taylor Court — 3304 State Route 26, P.O. Box 197, Cincinnatus, NY 13040, (607) 863-4120
  • Town of Truxton Court — Truxton Municipal Building (Depot), P.O. Box 84, Truxton, NY 13158, (607) 842-6984
  • Town of Virgil Court — 1176 Church Street, Cortland, NY 13045, (607) 835-6587
  • Town of Willet Court — P.O. Box 33, Willet, NY 13863, (607) 863-3261

Village Courts

The court listings used for this guide show no separate village courts in Cortland County. Charges arising in the villages of Homer, McGraw and Marathon are generally heard by the town court for the surrounding town (Homer, Cortlandville or Marathon). Confirm with the clerk named on any ticket.

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Misdemeanor (for example, petit larceny, a first DWI, third-degree assault, criminal trespass)

Will I be held after arrest?

Usually not. For most misdemeanors, Cortland-area police complete booking and hand the person a desk appearance ticket with a date in City Court or the town court. People who are not ticketed, which is common for domestic violence charges or when there is an outstanding warrant, are arraigned promptly, generally within about 24 hours.

What does the judge decide at arraignment?

Whether the person goes home and on what terms. Most misdemeanors are not qualifying offenses, and New York's bail law requires release for them, on recognizance or under non-monetary conditions such as supervision through the Probation Department. A judge may set bail only when the charge qualifies, as many domestic-violence-related offenses do. If bail is set, the judge must consider what the person can afford and allow at least two forms of payment, such as cash and a bond.

How do I get a lawyer?

Ask at arraignment. The Cortland County Public Defender, (607) 753-5046, represents people who cannot afford a private attorney, and the Assigned Counsel Plan, (607) 428-5459, supplies lawyers when the Public Defender has a conflict.

What are the penalties?

  • Violations such as harassment in the second degree: maximum 15 days.
  • Class B misdemeanors, including third-degree criminal trespass: maximum three months plus a fine as high as $500.
  • Class A misdemeanors, including petit larceny of property worth up to $1,000, third-degree assault and second-degree criminal trespass: a jail term no longer than 364 days and a fine no higher than $1,000.
  • A first DWI: a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $500 to $1,000 fine, with license revocation of at least six months, a required ignition interlock for at least 12 months and the Drinking Driver Program. A BAC of .18 or more is Aggravated DWI ($1,000 to $2,500 and at least a one-year revocation). Leandra's Law makes it a felony to drive drunk with a child 15 or younger in the car. DWAI is a traffic infraction.

How do these cases usually end?

Many first-time defendants receive an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, a plea to a violation such as disorderly conduct, or a conditional discharge. Repeat offenders face probation or jail. Under CPL Article 245 the District Attorney must share evidence early, and CPL 30.30 requires the prosecution to be ready within 90 days on a Class A misdemeanor and 60 days on a Class B. Most cases conclude in one to six months.

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Felony (for example, burglary, grand larceny, drug sale, second-degree assault)

A felony arrest in Cortland County is first brought in City Court or a town court on a felony complaint. That court handles arraignment and release, but only Cortland County Court can accept a plea to a felony or try the case.

Release and custody limits

For a nonviolent felony, the arraigning judge generally must release the defendant, with conditions if necessary. For qualifying felonies, including most violent felonies and new felonies charged while another felony is open, bail or remand is possible. If the person is held, the prosecution must obtain grand jury action or hold a preliminary hearing within 120 hours of arrest, or 144 hours when a weekend or holiday falls in between; otherwise CPL 180.80 generally requires release.

Grand jury and County Court

The District Attorney presents evidence to a Cortland County grand jury, which may indict, reduce the charge or dismiss it. The accused may testify after giving notice. A defendant who has negotiated a plea can instead waive indictment and be prosecuted on a superior court information. In County Court, the defendant is arraigned on the indictment, the parties exchange discovery, and the judge rules on motions and holds hearings. The prosecution must be ready for trial within six months, excluding permitted delays. Most cases settle; a trial uses a jury of 12 that must agree unanimously.

Sentences

Burglary in the third degree is a Class D nonviolent felony punishable by up to 2⅓ to 7 years, with probation available to some first offenders. Grand larceny is a Class E felony above $1,000 (up to 4 years), Class D above $3,000, Class C above $50,000 and Class B above $1 million. Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree is a Class B felony, though reforms in 2009 created sentencing options and judicial diversion (CPL Article 216), which can redirect eligible defendants with addiction into court-supervised treatment. Second-degree assault is a Class D violent felony, and a first felony offender convicted of it faces a determinate 2 to 7 years followed by post-release supervision. Predicate felony offenders receive longer mandatory terms.

The Public Defender, (607) 753-5046, represents eligible felony defendants from arraignment through sentencing. A Cortland County felony typically takes six to eighteen months.

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Violent felony (for example, murder, rape, robbery)

Violent felony cases in Cortland County are prosecuted by the District Attorney's Office and heard in County Court. They are qualifying offenses under the bail law, so judges can set bail or order remand to the Greenbush Street jail.

Sentencing exposure

Murder in the first degree carries life without parole or 20 to 25 years to life, and New York has no death penalty. Murder in the second degree carries 15 to 25 years to life, with life without parole possible in specified cases. First-degree rape, a Class B violent felony, is punished by a determinate 5 to 25 years plus post-release supervision and sex offender registration. Robbery in the first degree (Class B violent) brings 5 to 25 years, robbery in the second degree (Class C violent) brings 3½ to 15 years, and robbery in the third degree is a nonviolent Class D felony.

Determinate sentences for violent felonies can be reduced by good time by no more than one-seventh. Victims have the right to be told about key proceedings, to submit an impact statement at sentencing and to apply for help from the state Office of Victim Services. Expect one to two years or more for most violent felony prosecutions.

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Juveniles (under 18) arrested in Cortland County

New York's Raise the Age law, fully in effect since October 2019, keeps most Cortland County teenagers out of the adult system.

  • Under 16, ordinary charges. A 12- to 15-year-old accused of conduct that would be a crime for an adult is handled as a juvenile delinquent in Cortland County Family Court. Probation screens the case first and may adjust it without a petition. Petitions are prosecuted by the County Attorney.
  • Youth Part. Juvenile offenders (ages 13 to 15 charged with specified serious violent felonies) and adolescent offenders (ages 16 and 17 charged with felonies) are arraigned in the Youth Part of Cortland County Court. Most adolescent-offender cases are removed to Family Court unless the District Attorney shows extraordinary circumstances or the charge involves serious injury, a weapon or certain sex offenses.
  • 16- and 17-year-olds on misdemeanors. Family Court.

Cortland County does not have its own juvenile detention center. A youth who must be held is typically placed in an OCFS-certified non-secure program or in secure detention in another county, and adolescent offenders awaiting trial go to specialized secure detention, not the county jail. Family Court and juvenile records are confidential, and youthful offender adjudications are sealed. Juveniles are represented by the Public Defender, (607) 753-5046, or by an attorney for the child.

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Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Cortland County

Federal crimes in Cortland County are prosecuted in the Northern District of New York, and the district's filing order places Cortland in the Syracuse division. Cases are heard at the James M. Hanley Federal Building, 100 South Clinton Street, Syracuse, NY 13261, about 35 miles north on I-81.

Most federal prosecutions from the county involve drug trafficking along the I-81 corridor, firearms charges against people barred from having guns, child exploitation investigated through online tips, and fraud. A local arrest can become a federal case when the FBI, DEA, ATF or Homeland Security Investigations, sometimes through a joint task force, decides to pursue it.

Phone list

  • U.S. Attorney's Office (NDNY), Syracuse — 100 South Clinton Street, Room 900, Syracuse, NY 13261, (315) 448-0672
  • Federal Public Defender (NDNY), Syracuse — 4 Clinton Square, 3rd Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202, (315) 701-0080
  • U.S. Marshals Service (NDNY) — Hanley Federal Building, 100 S. Clinton Street, 10th Floor, Syracuse, (315) 473-7601

What to expect

  1. Initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge soon after arrest.
  2. Detention hearing, usually within three court days if the government asks to hold the defendant. The Bail Reform Act allows release on conditions supervised by Pretrial Services or detention when no conditions are adequate.
  3. Indictment: when the case began with a complaint, the grand jury must act within 30 days.
  4. Trial clock of 70 days under the Speedy Trial Act, often extended for complex cases.
  5. Plea or trial. Most cases end in a plea; a federal jury has 12 members who must agree unanimously.
  6. Sentencing after a presentence report, under the advisory Guidelines and any mandatory minimum. With no parole, about 85 percent of the term is served in the Bureau of Prisons, then supervised release.
  7. Appeal to the Second Circuit.

Federal pretrial detainees are held in facilities under contract with the U.S. Marshals, which may not be in Cortland County. Juvenile federal cases are uncommon.

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This Cortland County guide is general information about the criminal court process and is not legal advice; each case is different and laws are revised regularly. To ask about a lawyer, contact a private defense attorney or the Cortland County Public Defender at (607) 753-5046. Court dates can be checked with Cortland City Court at (607) 218-3300 or with the town court on your paperwork.

Criminal Court Process for Cortland County New York

Cortland County New York Criminal Court System – Definitions

The Criminal Court System in New York State can be a complicated system to understand.  In order to understand better, it might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice.  It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.

If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Cortland County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.

Arrest is when New York, Cortland County or local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed. 

In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Cortland County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the county jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.

Booking is when the Cortland County sheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation, and verification of identity. Bail for lower-level crimes may be set right after booking so the arrested can “bail or bond out” before being detained.

The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that press the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the municipal (or city) courts, county courts, circuit courts, courts of appeal and supreme court.  In New York, the prosecuting attorney for the state or county is called an Assistant District Attorney or ADA or District Attorney or DA and a U.S. Attorney prosecutes for federal cases.  

Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case.  For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case.  If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime.  Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.

District Court can be a New York State District Court (which are only in Nassau and parts of Suffolk County), or it can refer to a United States Federal District Court that hears federal cases and there are four US District Courts in New York.  It is important to ask the arresting officer or court the exact address of the courthouse rather than trying to figure it out yourself and miss your court appearance.

Bail is money paid that is kept by the courts to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and conditions are determined at the arraignment. Once the case is over, the bail money is returned. If a person does not pay bail, they remain in jail until their trial.  Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released.

A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid and usually happens at the same time as an arraignment. During bond proceedings, the defendant can have an attorney present but does not have the right to an attorney. A judge or court officer in the {county extended} or municipal court sets bail.

Judges in New York rely on a statewide bail schedule, which sets out a recommended range of bail amounts for different offenses. Judges can still exercise discretion in setting bail above or below the recommended range.

A judicial public bond or personal recognizance bond is a bond where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the money if the defendant does not show up to court. If the defendant does not show, the full amount will be due and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court.  Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance.  

Cash percentage in lieu of bonds.  If the bond order permits, the defendant pays a percentage of the amount, (sometimes up to 100%) to the court, which then holds the money until the case is over. The amount is returned if the defendant is acquitted or the case is dismissed, or it can be used toward paying any court fines incurred by the defendant.

Surety Bond is when defendant pays a percentage of the bond amount (usually 10–15%) to a professional bondsman or bail bond company licensed to do business in New York, {county extended}. The bondsman then signs the bond on behalf of the defendant. The defendant does not receive any of the money back. If the bondsman feels the defendant is a flight risk, they can refuse to give a bond or charge a higher fee. For example, a bondsman may determine a defendant is a flight risk if they are from a state other than New York.

A Property Bond is a bond in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).  Usually, the property must be in Cortland County, and it must be worth at least the amount of the bond.

Transfer bond is transferable across state lines but generally a bond company will only assume the loan to adjoining states.

It is always important to have family involvement after being arrested.  Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf (not all bond companies will accept collect calls), but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court, not only for the defendant’s own good, but because they may have signed bond paperwork and responsible to pay if the defendant does not show in court. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.  

(There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information.  A bondsman will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)

A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest. If the arrested cannot afford a lawyer, the New York court would assign indigent representation, usually called a public defender or an assigned or contracted attorney to represent the person for free or a small fee or a reduced rate, depending on the county.  Indigent representation is only available for juvenile cases, appeals and cases that could result in jail time. It is not available for civil cases or cases that would not result in jail time.  

In New York State, criminal attorneys can be asked by the courts to represent people periodically at a much-reduced rate.  This is called an 18-B assignment.   

A right to an attorney is in the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution; that all people that are going to be heard in trial are entitled to be represented by a lawyer and if they cannot afford one, the court will provide one. This only applies to criminal cases and not to civil cases or criminal cases that would not result in jail time.  

In New York State, the Office of Indigent Legal Services is the state agency that oversees indigent defense as a whole, but it is up to each county to fund and run their own indigent services.

For less serious cases or civil cases, there are pro bono volunteers who volunteer legal services for free or for a small fee. They often will hold clinics to teach people how to represent themselves in court. The attached link has a list of pro bono organizations in New York State.

Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se.  Here is a link for legal self-help in New York, and another website for which court to go to.

Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered.  This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.

Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings.  A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment.  The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty.  There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of a more serious criminal related to the crime.  

Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether if the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial.  If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial.  If the defendant is found non-guilty, they are released.  If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.

Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be fines, community service, probation, jail time or a combination.

Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again.  If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.

A misdemeanor crime in New York State is a crime that has a penalty such as fines, probation, community service or up to one year in a county jail.  Common misdemeanor offenses include petty theft, simple assault, trespassing, some drug offenses or harassment. 

A felony crime in New York State is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and can be punished with more significant fines and prison (not jail) time over one year.  Examples of felony crimes include murder, rape, theft, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, kidnapping, armed burglary and identity theft.

The Cortland County Clerk of Court is an elected official whose responsibilities for Criminal Court’s administrative issues include receiving criminal warrants, receiving bail, creating the trial schedule, receiving fees, fines and maintaining court records.

A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement.  There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime. 

A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date.  It does not involve an arrest.  A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.

A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.

Fines are usually paid to the District Court or clerk of court and payment methods can be found on the District Court or Cortland County Clerk of Court website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, must pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest.  It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket. 

CRIMINAL COURTS IN NEW YORK STATE

The Criminal Court System in New York City, Nassau County and parts of Suffolk County are different from all of the other counties and cities in the state of New York.

After someone is arrested in New York, which court to go can be complicated. It depends on where the crime occurred and what type of crime it was. To further complicate things, New York City, Nassau County and parts of Suffolk County process the arrested differently than the rest of New York State.  The arresting police officers or police department are best suited to advise you of which court the arrested should go to until a lawyer is retained.  The NY Unified Court website also provides a guide as to which court to use.

When someone is arrested in New York, they are usually brought to the local city, town or village police department where booking occurs before being seen in a justice court which is the name given to town or village courts.  

Most traffic and vehicle offenses are handled in a justice court as well as misdemeanors. If you can say that the crime happened in the “Town of ___” or “Village of____”, and it was not a felony crime, you will most likely appear in a justice court.  The judges are called justices of the peace are on call 24 hours/day to be available for arraignments and to issue orders of protection. There are 1,200 justice courts in New York State except for New York City.  

If the offense occurred in one of about 60 cities in New York, your case will be heard in a city court which acts the same as a justice court.

District courts are only in Nassau and parts of Suffolk County, and they act like the justice courts, they can handle traffic matters, misdemeanor cases and conduct felony arraignments. 

County Courts can handle most criminal cases from beginning to end or they can receive felony cases from justice courts (or district courts in Nassau and Suffolk County) that need to be further prosecuted or go to trial. County courts hear mostly criminal cases and some family court matters but not civil cases. If your case is appealed from the justice or city court, it will likely be heard in a county court. 

The term Supreme Court in New York confuses a lot of people because it sounds like a high-level court that hears special cases and has a panel of justices.  This is not so in New York. There is a supreme court in each county in New York State. A New York Supreme Court handles civil, divorce, criminal cases and some juvenile cases.  Criminal cases are handled in a division of supreme court called the Criminal Term. 

A New York Supreme Court is a trial level court for cases that handle more serious or complicated for county courts with the exception of New York City where most criminal felony cases are handled in New York City Supreme Court instead of a county court.  A New York Supreme Court has an Appellate Division that hears appeals from the supreme court criminal term, from family court and from county courts.

New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in New York meaning that the decisions are final unless it is a matter for the U.S. Supreme Court.  Most appeals are heard in a New York Supreme Court Appeals Division.

Family Court handles cases involving family and domestic issues, such as child custody, child support, and domestic violence. Juvenile crimes are usually heard in Family Court and there is a court in each county. Here is a link for more information on juvenile court.

Specialty Courts or Problem-Solving Courts are being adopted in many states as a way to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offender cases in a way to where the offender can retain a job or responsibilities while following specific orders of the court as returned court appearances, periodic evaluations or testing for substances.  Problem-solving courts in New York include: Drug treatment courts, family treatment courts, human trafficking courts, mental health courts, opioid courts and veterans treatment courts.  Follow this link to find out more about a problem-solving court in New York State.

The New York State Court System is complicated and there are factors that can change the court type and location, so it is important to follow the instructions given by the paperwork given by the police or judge at the time of the arrest or by your attorney.

New York City Criminal Courts

If a crime is committed in New York City the initial process is different than the rest of New York State.  If the crime is committed in one of the five boroughs (The Bronx, Kings County (Brooklyn), New York County (Manhattan), Queens County or Richmond County (Staten Island), the arrested is taken to the New York City Criminal Court which handles lower-level cases, arraignments and trials for misdemeanors which are crimes punished by a fine or imprisonment of less than one year.  It also conducts arraignments, preliminary hearings and plea bargaining for some felonies.  

The more serious felony cases are transferred to the New York County Supreme Court.

The New York County Supreme Court’s Criminal Term handles cases in parts.  A part deals with a certain type of proceeding or crime. The parts in NYC Supreme Court Criminal Term include many conference and trial parts, youth part, narcotics part, domestic violence parts, diversion and mental illness parts.  Here is more information on New York City’s Criminal Court.

New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in New York meaning that the decisions are final unless it is a matter for the U.S. Supreme Court.  Most appeals are heard in a New York Supreme Court Appeals Division.

Family Court handles cases involving family and domestic issues, such as child custody, child support, and domestic violence. Juvenile crimes are usually heard in Family Court and there is a court in each county.

Here is a link for more information on juvenile court.

Specialty Courts or Problem-Solving Courts are being adopted in many states as a way to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offender cases in a way to where the offender can retain a job or responsibilities while following specific orders of the court as returned court appearances, periodic evaluations or testing for substances.  

Problem-solving courts in New York include: Drug treatment courts, family treatment courts, human trafficking courts, mental health courts, opioid courts and veterans treatment courts.  Follow this link to find out more about a problem-solving court in New York State.

The following link gives information regarding New York City’s Drug Treatment Court.

The New York State Court System is complicated and there are factors that can change the court type and location, so it is important to follow the instructions given by the paperwork given by the police or judge at the time of the arrest or by your attorney.

Nassau County Criminal Court System

After someone is arrested in New York, which court to go can be complicated. It depends on where the crime occurred and what type of crime it was. To further complicate things, New York City, Nassau County and parts of Suffolk County process the arrested differently than the rest of New York State.  The arresting police officers or police department are best suited to advise you of which court the arrested should go to until a lawyer is retained.

The initial process following an arrest in Nassau County is different than the rest of New York State in that the initial process does not occur in city, town or village court but in Nassau County District Court. The District Court in Nassau County handles traffic and vehicle matters, misdemeanor cases from beginning to end, including trial and preliminary proceedings in felony criminal cases. The felony cases will then be transferred to a county or supreme court for further prosecution and/or trial. 

The Nassau County Court can handle most criminal cases from beginning to end or they can receive felony cases from district courts that need to be further prosecuted or go to trial. County courts hear mostly criminal cases and some family court matters but not civil cases. If the case is considered serious enough or is complicated, it will be moved to a New York State Supreme Court. If your case is appealed from the district court, it will likely be heard in the Nassau County Court. 

The term Supreme Court in New York confuses a lot of people because it sounds like a high-level court that hears special cases and has a panel of justices.  This is not so in New York. There is a supreme court in each county in New York State. A New York Supreme Court handles civil, divorce, criminal cases and some juvenile cases.  Criminal cases are handled in a division of supreme court called the Criminal Term.

A New York Supreme Court is a trial level court for cases that handle more serious or complicated for county courts with the exception of New York City where most criminal felony cases are handled in New York City Supreme Court instead of a county court.  A New York Supreme Court has an Appellate Division that hears appeals from the supreme court criminal term, from family court and from county courts.

New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in New York meaning that the decisions are final unless it is a matter for the U.S. Supreme Court.  Most appeals are heard in a New York Supreme Court Appeals Division.

Family Court handles cases involving family and domestic issues, such as child custody, child support, and domestic violence. Juvenile crimes are usually heard in Family Court and there is a court in each county.  

Here is a link for more information on juvenile court.

Specialty Courts or Problem-Solving Courts are being adopted in many states as a way to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offender cases in a way to where the offender can retain a job or responsibilities while following specific orders of the court as returned court appearances, periodic evaluations or testing for substances.  Problem-solving courts in New York include: Drug treatment courts, family treatment courts, human trafficking courts, mental health courts, opioid courts and veterans treatment courts.  Follow this link to find out more about a problem-solving court in New York State.

The New York State Court System is complicated and there are factors that can change the court type and location, so it is important to follow the instructions given by the paperwork given by the police or judge at the time of the arrest or by your attorney.

Suffolk County New York Criminal Court System

After someone is arrested in New York, which court to go can be complicated. It depends on where the crime occurred and what type of crime it was. To further complicate things, New York City, Nassau County and parts of Suffolk County process the arrested differently than the rest of New York State.  The arresting police officers or police department are best suited to advise you of which court the arrested should go to until a lawyer is retained.

Parts of Suffolk County (Western Towns of Babylon, Huntington, Smithtown, Islip and Brookhaven) and all of Nassau County differ from the rest of New York State.  The remaining towns of Suffolk County are like the rest of New York State where the court process starts in city, town or village court.  In the five western towns of Suffolk County, all cases start at the District Court.  

The initial process following an arrest in the Western Towns of Suffolk County is different than the rest of New York State in that the initial process does not occur in city, town or village court but in Suffolk County District Court. The District Court in Suffolk County handles traffic and vehicle matters, misdemeanor cases from beginning to end, including trial and preliminary proceedings in felony criminal cases. The felony cases will then be transferred to the Suffolk County Court or supreme court for further prosecution and/or trial. 

Suffolk County Court can handle most criminal cases from beginning to end or they can receive felony cases from the district court in Suffolk County that need to be further prosecuted or go to trial. County courts hear mostly criminal cases and some family court matters but not civil cases. If the case is considered serious enough or is complicated, it will be moved to a New York State Supreme Court. If your case is appealed from the district court, it will likely be heard in a county court. 

The term Supreme Court in New York confuses a lot of people because it sounds like a high-level court that hears special cases and has a panel of justices.  This is not so in New York. There is a supreme court in each county in New York State. A New York Supreme Court handles civil, divorce, criminal cases and some juvenile cases.  Criminal cases are handled in a division of supreme court called the Criminal Term.

A New York Supreme Court is a trial level court for cases that handle more serious or complicated for county courts with the exception of New York City where most criminal felony cases are handled in New York City Supreme Court instead of a county court.  A New York Supreme Court has an Appellate Division that hears appeals from the supreme court criminal term, from family court and from county courts.

Family Court handles cases involving family and domestic issues, such as child custody, child support, and domestic violence. Juvenile crimes are usually heard in Family Court and there is a court in each county.  

Here is a link for more information on juvenile court.

Specialty Courts or Problem-Solving Courts are being adopted in many states as a way to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offender cases in a way to where the offender can retain a job or responsibilities while following specific orders of the court as returned court appearances, periodic evaluations or testing for substances.  

Problem-solving courts in New York include: Drug treatment courts, family treatment courts, human trafficking courts, mental health courts, opioid courts and veterans treatment courts.  Follow this link to find out more about a problem-solving court in New York State.

The New York State Court System is complicated and there are factors that can change the court type and location, so it is important to follow the instructions given by the paperwork given by the police or judge at the time of the arrest or by your attorney.

FEDERAL COURT

Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws.  Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.  

Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime. 

There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the New York state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).  

Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.

There are four U.S. Federal Judicial Districts in New York.

Courts

CORTLAND CITY COURT
25 COURT ST # G
CORTLAND NY, 13045
607-218-3300
HOMER JUSTICE OF PEACE OFFICE
4 WATER ST
HOMER NY, 13077
607-749-2326

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Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.