Source: https://www.nycourts.gov/COURTS/10jd/suffolk/dist/allFAQS.shtml
Timestamp: 2014-04-24 06:26:49
Document Index: 359189926

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1801', '§301', '§ 1801', '§1801', '§713', '§715', '§721', '§713', '§769']

HOME | Page Navigation MAIN MENU > HOME THE COURTS E-COURTS REPRESENTING YOURSELF THE LAW JURORS JUDGES LEGAL PROFESSION TOPICS A to Z SUFFOLK COUNTY - 10th JUDICIAL DISTRICT Suffolk County District Court - All FAQs
All courthouses are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Night Small Claims” Court is held on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Ronkonkoma Courthouse.
Most calendars are called at 9:30 a.m. (except Small Claims night court 6:00 p.m.)
Where are the Civil Courthouses located? Get the addresses and telephone
numbers for the District Court Civil Division Courthouses.
Can I call to get an adjournment on my civil case? No. Adjournment requests must be in writing
and will not be considered by phone. All other parties should be notified of
all adjournment requests.
Do I need an attorney in the civil court? It is strongly recommended, but not absolutely
required, that an individual seek the advice of an attorney. Civil actions require specific knowledge of court proceedings.
Corporations are required to have an
attorney in all proceedings (except Small Claims or Commercial Small Claims). It is necessary for an attorney to
represent the corporation at all stages of an action, including
answering the summons and complaint.
It is essential that a party proceeding
without an attorney be fully versed in court procedure, trial and
evidentiary rules. Neither the court staff nor judge may provide legal
assistance at any stage of the proceedings.
What is the maximum amount that I can sue for in the civil court? The maximum amount is $15,000 per cause of action in District Court. Small Claims are special actions that
are limited to $5000 per filing. There is no monetary limit to money awarded in a summary proceeding in landlord tenant court.
How can I commence a civil suit? Civil actions are generally commenced
If you chose to represent yourself, you
must purchase a civil summons and complaint form that is specifically
intended for the District Court. An example is a Blumberg form T1480
which can be purchased at a store that sells legal stationery or from www.blumberglegalforms.com. After the form is completed by you, the
summons must be issued (signed) by a District Court civil clerk. There
is a filing fee. After the summons is signed,
you must arrange to have the summons and complaint served on the
How do I serve someone with court papers? Service may be made by someone over the
age of eighteen who is not a party to the action.
A professional process server may be
used. A plaintiff or defendant cannot serve papers.
The law specifies how papers must be
served, and the methods vary depending on the type of paper that is
being served. Additionally, the method of service may
be directed in an order of the court. The clerk of the court may be
contacted to determine how papers may be served.
I have received a civil summons from the District Court. What do I do? You must appear at the District
Court Clerk's office where the case is pending to file an answer to the civil complaint. You should do
this as soon as possible, since the maximum amount of time that you
have to answer is either twenty or thirty days depending on how you
were served with the summons.
Can I answer a summons by mail? You may file an answer by mail
providing that the answer is notarized and served on the plaintiff's
If you do not answer, the plaintiff may
file a default judgment against you. If you are a corporation, you must
answer through an attorney.
Can I answer a summons for my spouse? No.
Only an attorney may represent
someone other than him or herself in civil court. Your spouse may answer by mail. (See the question directly
Can I file a counterclaim? The defendant may include a counterclaim with the answer. There is no
fee for this kind of counterclaim (but there is a fee for a Small Claims
Counterclaim). What happens after I answer a summons? If both the plaintiff (the person
starting the law suit) and the defendant (the person sued) are
represented by an attorney, a Notice of Trial with the proper fee must be received before a case can proceed
to trial or to compulsory arbitration.
If either side is self represented, the
matter will immediately be scheduled for a pre-trial conference, before
a judge, if the Cause of Action is greater than $6,000. If the Cause of
Action is $6,000 or less, the matter will be referred to compulsory
arbitration. What if I am not satisfied with the decision of the arbitrator? Any party who is not in default may
request a trial de novo within 35
days of the mailing of the arbitrator's decision.
A demand for a new trial must be filed
timely with the clerk, with the proper fee.
How do I get a verbatim transcript of a court proceeding? (A verbatim transcript is a printed version of everything said at a court proceeding. A clerk's transcript of judgment is a court form, usually filed with the county clerk to collect money from a person). When requesting a verbatim transcript, you should have
name of the case, case number, location of the proceeding, and
date of the proceeding, and time stamp or meter reading of the proceeding
(if a digital recording machine was used). Most court proceedings are recorded either by a Court
Reporter sitting in the courtroom writing down what is said in the
courtroom or by a digital recording machine. To have a transcript produced of a District Court
proceeding which was recorded by a Court Reporter:
tell the reporter at the proceeding that you need a
transcript, or call the court reporters office (631) 853-5418, or
fax your request to the court reporters office (631)
853-7854 .
To have a transcript produced of an electronically
recorded court proceeding, you may contact one of the transcription
services listed on the list of
Electronic Recording Transcription Services. This list of transcription services may also be found
at courthouse public information
windows. These services are not employees of the Unified Court
System, they are independent contractors and establish their own rates
- price per page varies. They will either take the required information
and contact the Court, or ask you to contact the court and arrange to
have the recording sent to the contractor. If you have any questions regarding a verbatim
transcript from a Suffolk County District Court matter, please contact:
Ron Gorman, Supervising Court Reporter, (631) 853-5418. Small Claims Court
Claim legislative history in New York State?
New York Governor Herbert H. Lehman proposed and signed the bill in 1934
creating a SMALL CLAIMS PART in New York City Municipal Court
with a monetary limit of $50.00. Soon thereafter, Small
Claims parts were established throughout the state
with ever-increasing jurisdiction. (1945-$100.00, 1963-$300.00,
1971-$500.00, 1975-$1,000.00, 1981-$1,500.00, 1987-$2,000.00,
1994-$3,000.00, and 2004-$5000). What is the definition of a Small Claim Action?
Any cause of action for money only, not in excess
of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) exclusive of interest
Small claims matters are limited to the recovery
of money. This is not the proper forum for punitive
In Suffolk District Court, the defendant either
resides, or has an office for the transaction of
business or a regular employment within any district
in the county (UDCA §1801):
one of the five western towns of Suffolk County (Babylon,
Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip or Smithtown).
The proper venue for a small claims action is in the
District in which one of the parties resides at the commencement
of the proceeding or, if no party then resides in a District,
in the district in which one of the parties has regular
employment or a place for the regular transaction of
business (UDCA §301).
Chapter 653 of the Laws of 1987 enacted
Article 18-A of the court acts: COMMERCIAL CLAIMS.
The effective date for the District Courts and the
City Courts outside New York City was January 1, 1989,
and for New York City on January 1, 1991. The two year
delay for commencing Commercial Claims in New York
City gave court administrators an opportunity to prepare
for the expected flood of filings. The drafters were
so concerned, that the statute limited a commercial
claimant to only five (5) actions per calendar month. What is the definition of a Commercial Claim Action?
CLAIM definition PLUS the claimant is a corporation,
partnership or association, which has its principal
office in the State of New York. An assignee may institute
an action or proceeding under this article. (UDCA§§ 1801-A(a)
and 1809-A(a))
The provisions of the Court Acts and Rules for SMALL
CLAIMS and COMMERCIAL CLAIMS are similar if not identical
in most respects. In general, most procedures (e.g.
counterclaim, jury demand, etc. . .) will apply to
both SMALL CLAIMS and COMMERCIAL CLAIMS actions.
A COMMERCIAL CLAIM against
a natural person, wherein the money, property or service
which is the subject of the transaction is primarily
for personal, family or household purposes (UDCA §1801-A(b)). Who can use the small claims court?
A partnership or municipal corporation Corporations and associations must
use the commercial claims court.
While it is important to sue the proper party, it
is up to you determine who to sue. Court personnel
may not provide legal opinions.
In a motor vehicle accident the registered owner
of a vehicle should sue the registered owner of all
other vehicles involved in an accident.
You should always make an effort to sue a business in their true business
name. Such information is generally available through the Suffolk
County Clerk, the NYS Department
of State, or through consumer affairs or another state or county
You may sue a business under a name known to you.
However, you must determine their true business name
A DC-283 Complaint Form must
be completed and filed with the court:
You need only know the name of the party you wish
to sue, their street address, the amount, and the
reason for your claim. Evidence is not required for
The court will prepare a summons and notify the
person you wish to sue.
The person or business you are suing must reside,
maintain an office for business or be regularly employed
in one of the five western towns of Suffolk County,
which are: the town of Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington,
Islip or Smithtown. A street address must be provided for the person
you intend to sue. Post office boxes alone are not
You should contact the United
States Postal Service or the Postmaster where the
post office box is located for the correct procedure
to obtain the street address for a business, corporation
Post office boxes alone are not
acceptable. Can I file by mail?
Yes. You may download a copy of a Suffolk
County District Court Complaint Form and mail
it to the District
Court Clerk's office with the proper fee.
Follow the directions referenced at the Small
Claims Mailing Instructions or the Commercial Claims instructions and link to the DC-283 claim form.
You may also send a self addressed stamped envelope
Clerk's office in the District Court where you
intend to file your claim. The proper fee,
in the form of a check or money order must be provided,
made payable to “The Clerk of the District
Court.” Do not send cash.
You must sue an individual or business in the county
of their residence or place of business. For example
a Nassau resident must be sued in Nassau
If the party you intend to sue resides or does business
in Suffolk County but is located in one of the five
eastern towns, you must file your claim in the Justice
court within that town.
Riverhead Southold
No! You may not split your “cause of action.” A
cause of action is the basis for the claim, such as
a contract or property damage from a car accident.
Separate contracts or accidents may allow you to file
All small and commercial claims cases are heard by
either an attorney arbitrator or a judicial hearing officer.
Hearings are informal and designed to expedite the claim
between the parties. What happens when I get to court?
Your case will be called in the courtroom. If both
sides are ready to proceed, you will be called up to
the arbitrator for a trial. All initial claims are
heard by an arbitrator is Suffolk County.
The person who made the claim is called the plaintiff.
The plaintiff will state their case by testifying
under oath and presenting evidence. The person being
sued ( the defendant) will have an opportunity to
testify and present their own evidence.
Liability - Your testimony, the
testimony of witnesses or evidence such as a signed
contract, will generally prove who is at fault.
Damages - The actual monetary amount
of the claim. Damages may be proved in one of three
An expert witness (An expert witness may
be required to prove that a professional
performed their work improperly).
If you have proven your case, the arbitrator will
award a judgment for the amount which you have proven.
If you have not proven your case the matter will
be dismissed. If the defendant has filed a counterclaim and proves
their case, a judgment may be entered against you.
If the court was able to serve the person or business
you are suing, you will have the right to a one sided
trial called an Inquest. Even though the party is not
present, you must still prove your case. Why must my case be heard by an arbitrator?
In the Suffolk County District Court
all matters are heard by an arbitrator. Judges in
Suffolk County are assigned to complex civil matters
and criminal proceedings, due to the high volume
of cases in the county.
Most people find a hearing before
an arbitrator to be even less complex than a formal
trial before a judge. If either party is not satisfied
with the arbitrator's decision, they may request
a new trial, which is called a trial de novo, before
a judge. There is an additional fee,
which is payable by the party requesting the trial
de novo. Less than 6% of all cases result in a
new trial. See Post
Arbitration Judgements and Trial de novo.
Attorneys are not required in small claims or commercial
If both sides appear with an attorney the case may
be transferred to the regular civil part of the court.
No! Small claims is for the recovery of money only.
You also cannot sue to have an action performed such
as to have your kitchen cabinets fixed.
You may sue for the value of the property you are
missing, or for the value of the required repair.
Offices in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th District Courts in the town where
the property is located or from the Nassau County
District Court's website. For other kinds of evictions, a NOTICE OF PETITION and PETITION would need to be drafted by an attorney.
If you wish to proceed without an attorney, you will be responsible for preparing your papers in accordance with the law, without assistance from the court staff. Forms must be completed using BLACK ink only and submitted in duplicate to the Court Clerk for signature. You must pay a filing fee and get an index number. The Court Clerk will assist you in setting a court date in order to ensure that Court will be in session. A NOTICE OF PETITION must be issued by an attorney or the Court Clerk to compel the appearance of the tenant in Court. The Court Clerk will review your forms if you have no attorney and sign the NOTICE OF PETITION only if the papers are correct. Do I need to do anything before I file papers with the Court?
Probably. There may be specific legal prerequisites
institution of your proceeding to recover real property (such as a 3
day notice or 30 day notice). You should consult with an attorney or
refer to the Real Property Law or Real
Property Actions & Proceedings Law to be sure you have met all
A Non-payment Summary Proceeding usually is
preceded by the landlord demanding that the tenant pay the rent,
either in writing or orally. A Holdover Summary Proceeding is usually preceded
by the landlord informing the tenant to leave by a certain date, either
in writing or orally. How does the Tenant find out about the court date?
Bring with you all evidence necessary to prove your claim or your defense. Anything that will help prove the facts in dispute should be brought to Court. This includes written agreements, leases, receipts and photographs. Originals
(not photocopies) may be required, if available. All public documents must
be certified by the agency producing such documents (a certification is a
statement that the documents are true copies of an agency's records - the agency should be able to tell you how to get the records certified). Landlords should bring:
the lease or written agreement for the party you are suing, if there is
certified copies of registration statements (like the town's rent
registration, or a multiple dwelling registration statement)
witnesses (like a superintendent, manager, or mechanic who can testify as
to attempts to gain access and/or attempts to repair conditions, if
conditions are an issue)
the lease or written agreement for the apartment, if you have one photographs of any conditions you are claiming
any other documents that are relevant to your defense or
to the claims you are making
witnesses (like a friend or neighbor who has seen a condition
complained of, if conditions are an issue)
At the call of the calendar in the courtroom, identify yourself. If all parties are present, the Judge will probably request that you try to settle the case - a voluntary, binding
agreement that resolves the differences between the parties to a lawsuit. It is
put in writing in a document called a stipulation. In a
settlement you can help determine the outcome of a case. However, no one can force you to settle a case. Also, no case should be settled unless and until the settlement has been
reviewed by a Judge and you understand the terms of the agreement.
If you cannot settle the case, the Judge will have a hearing. Generally, the landlord presents his or her case first. After being sworn as a witness,
the landlord or the landlord’s managing agent will tell his or her version of the claims in the case. The landlord may offer certain documents into evidence. When the landlord
or the person on the landlord’s behalf has finished testifying, the tenant has
the right to ask questions. This is called cross-examination. Sometimes a
Judge may ask some questions to clarify matters. Other witnesses can be
presented in support of the landlord’s claims, and they, too can be cross-examined by the tenant or may be asked questions by the Judge. The tenant will then be sworn as a witness and tell his or her side of the story and
present evidence. When the tenant has finished testifying, the landlord has the right to cross-examine the tenant. Sometimes a Judge may ask some questions to clarify matters. Other
witnesses can be presented in support of the tenant’s claims, and they, too, can be cross-examined by the landlord or may be asked questions by the Judge. Parties to a lawsuit have a right to object to the introduction of evidence or the way a
question is being asked or answered. The proper way to object is to say “objection.” The Judge
may then ask what the basis for the objection is. If the Judge agrees with the objection, the Judge
will say “sustained” and the evidence will not be admitted. If the Judge disagrees with the
objection, the Judge will say “overruled” and the evidence will be admitted.
If the landlord wins, a summary proceeding concludes with a judgment, which is a prerequisite for issuing a WARRANT OF EVICTION. A WARRANT OF EVICTION is comparable to an execution in a civil action. After a WARRANT OF EVICTION is issued by the court (you must request it - see below - and you receive it in the mail) you must file it with the Suffolk
County Sheriff. The Suffolk County Sheriff must give at least 72 hours notice (a 72 HOUR NOTICE) before evicting a respondent from the premises.
Attorneys must file a proposed JUDGMENT OF POSSESSION
(like the Blumberg
T-1412, T-1413, or T-1414) and WARRANT OF EVICTION (like the Blumberg
T-1408 or T-1409) with
the Court Clerk. The Court will generate the
appropriate papers. Attorneys may submit a proposed MONEY JUDGMENT and
pay the fee for a TRANSCRIPT OF JUDGMENT at the time the WARRANT and
JUDGMENT are submitted, and the Clerk will issue the TRANSCRIPT OF
used in enforcing any money
landlords must request
the court issue the JUDGMENT OF POSSESSION, WARRANT OF EVICTION, and
TRANSCRIPT OF JUDGMENT. If the
tenant/respondent is in default, a non-military affidavit will be
required. If a TRANSCRIPT OF JUDGMENT is requested the transcript fee must be
paid when the request is filed with the Court Clerk.
Include a stamped self-addressed envelope with
proposed papers or written request. The Clerk will mail the papers to
the attorney of record or if there is no attorney, to the
self-represented landlord. Can I evict my son / girlfriend / roommate?
referred to above are intended for a landlord to evict
a tenant. If the person you want to evict is not a tenant,
or if you are not the landlord, you may be able to evict
them, but not with these court forms. You may be able to
evict someone other than a tenant if an attorney is able
to draft papers and file the appropriate action (like those
listed in RPAPL §713 and RPAPL §715).
Yes, under certain circumstances, a tenant can bring
landlord to L&T Court. The NYS
Attorney General's Tenants' Rights Guide has additional information.
A tenant may bring a summary proceeding to
possession of premises from which he or she has been forcibly put out
or kept out (RPAPL §721(4)). A tenant must bring such a
proceeding within three years of ouster (RPAPL §713(10)).
New York Real Property Actions & Proceedings
Article 7-A - (§§769 - 783) addresses special proceedings brought
by tenants of dwellings in Suffolk County. Pursuant to RPAPL Article 7A, one third or more of tenants
occupying a multiple dwelling located in Suffolk county may petition
the Court to have an administrator appointed to manage the premises.
This type of proceeding is
complicated and retaining an attorney is suggested.
Your rights would best be protected with
the assistance of an attorney. You
can contact the Suffolk County Bar
Association for a free or low-fee consult. You might also contact Nassau/Suffolk
Law Services and Long Island Housing Services, Inc for assistance.
A tenant might sue a landlord in Small Claims
Court if money is owed after
the tenant has moved out of the rental.
You must appear in court on the date and time stated
the Notice of Petition served on you. If the eviction is based on the non-payment of rent,
may pay the landlord the full amount demanded in the petition. This
will end the eviction proceeding. If the petition is for non-payment of rent, please seeTenant Questions & Answers: Nonpayment Eviction Cases in New York State.
If you were served with a holdover petition, please seeTenant Questions & Answers: Holdover Eviction Cases in New York State.
Your rights would best be protected with the
assistance of an attorney. You can
contact the Suffolk County Bar Association
for a free or low-fee consult. You might also contact Nassau/Suffolk
What happens if I am a tenant and I do not appear in Court after receiving a NOTICE OF PETITION? If the landlord or the landlord's attorney tells the
Court you were served, and you do not appear as directed, the case will
be decided without you, and you may have a DEFAULT JUDGMENT against
you. A WARRANT OF EVICTION may be issued. A judgment for unpaid rent and fees may
also be entered against you.
After the WARRANT OF EVICTION is filed with the Sheriff, a Deputy Sheriff will post a 72 HOUR
NOTICE for you to leave the premises.
When the WARRANT OF EVICTION is enforced, the
Sheriff will return and remove you and your personal property. How do I ask a Judge to vacate a default judgment and stay my eviction?
Go to Court and submit a request for the Judge to
an Order to Show Cause to Vacate a Landlord Tenant Judgment.
You can get these forms from your attorney the courthouse (ask for the Court's forms for the Order to Show Cause and supporting affidavit)
Bring photocopies of documents that help you prove your
A judgment is the determination by a judge or
after a hearing or trial.
A judgment is generally for an amount of money.
a judgment may also include a warrant of eviction, an order to perform
a specific task, or it may be a judgment dismissing the matter.
Usually "having a judgment against you" means a
judgment from a court has been filed with the County Clerk.
A default judgment is ordered by the court if the
defendant does not appear for trial.
A default judgment may also be entered by the clerk
the defendant fails to answer a summons.
A default judgment is fully enforceable and has the
effect as a judgment after trial.
You (the Judgment Creditor) may contact the party you won the judgment
(the Judgment Debtor) and request payment. If they are unwilling to pay, you may attempt to enforce the judgment (below).
You may request a document called a Transcript of Judgment from the
Court Clerk for a fee. The Transcript of Judgment must be
filed with the Suffolk County Clerk's Office. The County Clerk will collect a filing fee. You may contact the Suffolk County Clerk's Office (631) 852-2000 ext
800 for information on how to obtain an Income Execution Form or a Property Execution
Form. You will file the Execution
Form with the Suffolk County Sheriff. Contact the Civil Bureau,
Division, Office of the Sheriff at (631) 852-5600. The office is at 360
Yaphank Ave Yaphank
NY 11980.
will attempt to enforce the judgment based on the information and
documents you file. An Information
Subpoena is used to discover the
of a judgment debtor. An Information
Subpoena is generally prepared by
an attorney, though a self-represented or pro se litigant may obtain
assistance from the Court Clerk where the judgment is entered in
obtaining an Information Subpoena without the assistance of an
attorney. Nominal Court Fees are charged for issuing an Information Subpoena. Additional enforcement options may exist; contact an
attorney to explore other options.
If you feel that you do not owe all or part of the
judgment, you may contact the court which issued the judgment. To ask
the Judge to place the case back on the court's calendar (and contest
the judgment in court) you may file an Order to Show Cause to vacate Landlord & Tenant
default judgment or an Order
to Show Cause to vacate a civil judgment with the affidavit in support of
an Order to Show Cause to vacate a civil judgment. If you feel that you owe the amount of the judgment,
should contact the attorney for the plaintiff to make arrangements to
An Order to Show
Cause is a method that a party may
to request that the court reopen their case, usually after a default
judgment has been entered. A default judgment can be entered if a
defendant fails to answer a summons, or fails to appear for trial or
This process temporarily stops the enforcement of a
judgment and sets a time for the plaintiff to challenge the defendant's
request to start over.
Cause is commenced and answered in
writing. If you are supposed to appear in court, the order will write on the order that personal appearance is required and testimony will be taken. If the court sets a new court date for trial, both sides will
Forms to prepare an Order to Show Cause to
vacate Landlord & Tenant judgment or a Order to Show Cause to
vacate a civil judgment with the affidavit in support of
an Order to Show Cause to vacate a civil judgment are available in
the clerk's office where the judgment was entered.
You may appeal an order or judgment of the court
provided that the order or
judgment was not obtained by default. An arbitrator's award cannot be
but you may request a trial de novo before a judge.
A default judgment cannot be appealed, but a party
in default may request that the action be restored by Order to Show
Cause (see above). To file an appeal, you must prepare and serve a Notice
of Appeal on the opposing parties, and
of Appeal with the Court Clerk (in the court where the order or
judgment was entered) with proof of service. A fee is required for filing the Notice
of Appeal on a Civil, Landlord-Tenant, Small Claim or Commercial Small Claim
action. An appeal can be a complicated process. There are
specific time frames for completing the appeal prior to sending it to
the Appellate Term. Additionally, the appeal may require oral argument
before the Judges of the Appellate Term. The Court Clerk
recommends consulting or hiring an attorney to assist you.
The public windows (located on the 2nd floor of the Cohalan Court Complex)
open for business Monday - Friday at 8:30 a.m. All business must be
commenced by 4:30 p.m.
When and where are arraignments
held? Arraignments of defendants "in-custody" (arrested
and held by the police) are conducted every day of
the year in Courtroom D-11 at 9:30 AM. Arraignments of
defendants given Desk Appearance Tickets or Field Appearance
Tickets are conducted regular court days in the scheduled "Street
Arraignment" (SAP) courtrooms. Violations of Town Ordinances or Town
Codes are arraigned
on certain days of the week in the outlying
courthouses. When is my next court date?
Your next court date was written on a blue "Notice
to Appear" form at your last court date. If you know the name of the defendant, or the docket number
of the case, use WebCrims.
This system does not show Bench or Arrest Warrants or
finished cases. To search by name, you need to know at least the first
three letters of the defendants last name and the first
two letters of the defendants first name. When searching
by "calendar," choose "Criminal Court" for Court field,
use the courtroom number for Court Part field
(for example, D31 or D44), not the Judge Name. If you think the case is still open, and you cannot find
the next date with WebCrims,
you should call the court at 631 853 7500 to speak to court
staff during normal business hours, or see below regarding vacating warrants.
No. Adjournment requests are not considered by phone, fax or e-mail. I really cannot get to court on my court date. What can I do?
Unless the Judge has excused your appearance, you are required
to appear at each and every court date. If you do not appear, the judge may issue a warrant for your
immediate arrest. If an emergency
requires you to miss your upcoming court date, you may
write a letter to the Judge explaining
your situation (send a copy to the District Attorney's Office).
The Judge may consider your note when your case is called,
and may adjourn your case to another day and not issue
a warrant. You might be notified
by mail of the new court date. I don't think I can afford an attorney. How can I get Legal Aid?
You may ask the Judge on your court date to assign a Legal
Aid Society attorney to represent you. Generally, you
are eligible for free Legal representation if you fall
below the US Department of Health & Human
Services Poverty Guidelines.
You may request to voluntarily vacate a warrant by
District Court Warrant (form
DC-320-A) to the Clerk's Office public information windows
before 11:00 AM any regular business day. A list (the "warrant vacate" calendar) is posted at the 2nd floor waiting area (usually before noon), and you must appear in the courtroom indicated to vacate the warrant. If the warrant is for Town Ordinance violation
(which are calendared in the outlying
District Court courthouses), for County
or for a Town
or Village Court in Suffolk County, you must go to that courthouse
to voluntarily vacate your warrant. Can I view a Court Calendar online?
Anyone can view today's calendared cases and any
future calendars on the WebCrims site. Log in as Guest.
Past calendars are not available to the public on the
internet. Other agencies may view completed calendars
through our secure site. What are my rights as a crime victim or witness? Many innocent persons or their dependents may
suffer disability, incur financial hardships, become
dependent upon public assistance, or suffer personal physical injury or
death as a result of criminal acts. Aid,
care and support is provided by the state for
such victims of crime, through the New York State Crime Victims Board. More information about the rights of a crime victim and witnesses ... What are my rights as a victim of Domestic Violence? The resources available in your community for information relating to domestic violence, treatment of injuries, and places of safety and shelters can be accessed by calling the following toll-free numbers for the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-942-6906 (in Spanish: 1-800-942-6908).
An Order of Protection is a court order requiring a person
to refrain from doing certain acts against another person. If you are a victim or a witness, you should contact
In District Court, a criminal action must
be filed with the court (which usually means the defendant
was arrested or given an appearance ticket, and the complaints
were filed with the court by the police). A victim or
witness may request an order of protection when the person
is arraigned - the District Attorney in the courtroom
will need to know before the arraignment that you want
If you need an Order of Protection and the person was
issued an appearance ticket (released from the police
and told to appear on a future date for arraignment in
court), get a copy of the police report and complaint
from the officer or the precinct, and inform the police
that you want an Order of Protection. The police will
need to file paperwork with the court before you can get
an Order of Protection from the court. If you need an Order of Protection and the person was
not arrested or not charged with any crime or offense,
call the police to file a complaint. If you are related
to or live with the person, you might be a victim of Domestic
are my rights as a Victim of Domestic Violence?
If you are the defendant (the enjoined
party on an Order of Protection),
and your case is still pending, and you want to change the conditions of an Order of Protection,
you must consult with your attorney.
If you are a witness or
victim (a protected party on an Order of Protection), and the case is still pending, and you want to modify the conditions on an Order of Protection,
you must contact the District Attorney's Office (See also What are my rights as a Victim of Domestic Violence?)
If the defendant was convicted, pled guilty, or otherwise has an order of protection and no future court date, and you want to modify the terms of the order of protection, you may submit a written request to the court - appear at window #2 in room D220 in the Cohalan Court Complex during normal business hours. Based on your written request, the case will be restored to the calendar for a future date, when the judge will decide if the Order of Protection should be modified. How can I post bail? Once the Court has set bail, bail
must be posted in one of the forms ordered (usually
cash or insurance company bail bond), and in the amount
set, in order to get out of jail. Search a list of Bail Bond agents may be found at the NY
State Department of Financial Services website.
A credit card (Visa or MasterCard) may be used to post
bail if the Court specifically authorizes credit card bail.
The Sheriff's Office may be able to assist
the defendant post bail from money carried at the time of
arrest. Bail Expeditors at the jail may be able to help
the defendant contact someone to post bail. Family or friends
may post bail in the courthouse if the defendant is still
in the courthouse. If the defendant is on the way to, or
is already at the jail, bail must be posted
at the jail. How do I get bail money back?
Once the court case is disposed (when the case is dismissed,
or the defendant is convicted and sentenced), and the defendant
made all court appearances as directed, bail is exonerated
and returned to the person who posted the bail, minus a
3% fee. The process generally takes eight weeks after the
case is disposed and the money is returned. Bail money is returned from the Suffolk County Treasurer. If the defendant did not appear in court as directed, and
a warrant was issued, bail was forfeited. You might be able
to get the bail money back if the Court orders the bail
remitted after a CPL540.30 motion.
by timely mailing a check or money order payable to
the Clerk of the District Court. If your check is not
honored by the bank, there will be an additional $20
fee and the immediate entry of a default judgment.
in person at the courthouse on or before
pay" date at window 5, 6, or 7 in room D220 (on the second floor)
by cash, check, or credit card (Visa or MasterCard - with
photo identification). Can I get additional time to pay a fine?
Generally, yes. Depending on the sentencing judge, you might need to
appear in the courtroom to ask the judge for more time
What happens if I do not pay the fine or fees? Generally, if you do not pay the fine or fee, the Court (on behalf
of the People of the State of New York) enters a judgment
against you in the County Clerk's office and suspends your
drivers license. The court may also issue a warrant for your
arrest. If you do not pay a fine imposed
by the court, within the time ordered, you may be imprisoned.
pay a fine, you may ask the
court, to be resentenced. The Court may not
waive certain surcharges or fees.
You may tell the court that payment of the surcharges
or fees will be an unreasonable hardship on you or your
immediate family, and the court may defer payment and
enter a civil judgment. You may be imprisoned for up to fifteen days for your failure to
pay certain surcharges and fees. If you do not pay what you owe, or if you do not appear in court to
request more time to pay, a civil judgment against you
will be entered and docketed with the Suffolk County
Clerk (or the Clerk of the County in which you reside),
and your drivers license may be suspended, and a
warrant may be issued for your arrest. How do I get an official record of what happened to my court case?
You might need a Certificate of Disposition or a Certified
You can buy one from the court by coming to the courthouse
- bring photo identification, $5, and as much information
about the case you can get (case or docket number, date
of disposition, offenses charged, date of arrest, copies
of charges, etc).
You may also request a Certificate of Disposition or a Certified
Transcript by mail - follow the instructions on form DC-411. If the case was sealed, you may need additional paperwork, for example, if you were adjudicated a Youthful Offender,
you need a Court Order to release the transcript -
submit form DC-75 with DC-411 ;
if your case was terminated in your favor and sealed (like
after an acquittal or dismissal), and you want
a Certified Transcript of Certificate of Disposition
mailed to you, you need to submit form
DC-412 with DC-411;
if the case was sealed after an acquittal or dismissed and sealed,
and you want to authorize someone to be your agent to
access the sealed records, you need to submit form
DC-413 with DC-411 .
Within 30 days from the date of sentence, you or your attorney must
file 2 copies of a Notice
the Appeals Clerk, Suffolk County District Court, 400
Carleton Avenue, Central Islip NY 11722; and you must
serve one copy of the Notice
of Appeal on the Suffolk
County District Attorney's Office, Appeals Bureau, Cromarty Criminal Court Complex,
200 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901. If you appeared before the court pro
se (without an attorney, self-represented, or on
your own behalf), and you timely indicate
in writing to the Clerk of the Court (see the bottom of the form
DC-16)
appeal, the Clerk will prepare and serve and file an
appropriate notice on your behalf.
You have the right, upon proof
of your financial inability to retain counsel and to pay
the costs and expenses of the appeal, to apply to the Appellate Term of
the Supreme Court, for the assignment of counsel, for leave to prosecute
the appeal as a poor person, and to dispense with printing
perfecting a criminal appeal are available from the Appellate
Term Clerks Office. You must
perfect your appeal within 120 days from the date of sentence.
(A verbatim transcript is a printed version of everything said at a court proceeding. A clerk's transcript of judgment is a court form, usually filed with the county clerk to collect money from a person). When requesting a verbatim transcript, you should have the name of the case, case number, location of the proceeding, and
date of the proceeding, and time stamp or meter reading of the proceeding (if a digital recording machine was used). Most court proceedings are recorded either by a Court Reporter sitting in the courtroom writing down what is said in the courtroom or by a digital recording machine. To have a transcript produced of a District Court proceeding which was recorded by a Court Reporter: tell the reporter at the proceeding that you need a transcript, or call the court reporters office (631)853-5418, or
To have a transcript produced of an electronically recorded court proceeding, you may contact one of the transcription services listed on the list of Electronic Recording Transcription Services. This list of transcription services may also be found at courthouse public information windows. These services are not employees of the Unified Court System, they are independent contractors and establish their own rates - price per page varies. They will either take the required information and contact the Court, or ask you to contact the court and arrange to have the recording sent to the contractor. If you have any questions regarding a verbatim transcript from a Suffolk County District Court matter, please contact: Ron Gorman, Supervising Court Reporter, (631) 853-5418.
A certificate of relief from civil disabilities relieves an "eligible offender" of forfeitures, disabilities, or bars to employment automatically imposed be law by reason of a conviction of a specified crime or offense. You may apply to the State Parole Board (if you are on parole) or the court where you were sentenced for a certificate. More information, including an DPCA-52 Application for a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities.
of Court Administration provides a statewide
criminal history record search, based on exact
match of name and date
of birth. The search includes data
from all 62 counties pertaining to convictions and open
or pending cases in the City, District, County
and Supreme criminal courts. Town & Village criminal
information is limited. If you are a defendant, you or your attorney may apply for a NYS Record Review from the NYS Division
of Criminal Justice Services (518 485-7675).
You may request a Suffolk County Criminal Records Search for yourself or someone
else through the Suffolk
Police Department's Central Records (631 852-6015).
Call 852-3356 - the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office. Attorneys may schedule video conferences the same day with as little as 30 minutes notice, or for a future date, at half hour intervals from 8:30 AM until 3:30 PM, from Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip or the Cromarty Court Complex in Riverhead.
Defendants in Riverhead Jail can be brought to the video conference booth in as little as 30 minutes. A conference with a defendant in the Yaphank facility requires 24 hour notice. Schedule a video conference with an inmate at the Jail Apr 23 08.
Reading the criminal justice system handbook and this criminal court FAQ page before you come to court will help you understand what is going on in the courtroom. Parking Tickets
When does the Clerk's Office open for business? The public windows (located on the 2nd floor of the Cohalan Court Complex)
commenced by 4:30 p.m. When must I appear in court?
Your parking ticket will tell you the last date that you must answer your ticket, either by mail or in person. If you come to the courthouse on or before that date, you will speak to a clerk and either get a trial date or plead guilty. If you have not answered your parking ticket by the date written on the ticket, the court will mail a notice to you giving you a date that you must respond. If you do not respond a default sentence will be imposed against you, and a judgment filed with the clerk of your county of residence as a lien, and your license and registration may be suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles. How can I get a new court date?
internet. Other agencies may view completed calendars for the entire District Court
through our secure site. How do I plead "guilty" and pay my fine?
At this time there is no way to pay "online" or by telephone. You may pay the fine by credit card by appearing in person with photo identification.
Vehicle & Traffic Law (VTL) section Fine
uninspected vehicle under 60 days
uninspected vehicle over 60 days
parking equipment violation
385(3)(e)
parked trailer on residential street
proper registration sticker not affixed
false temporary registration
parked motorcycle on public highway without a license plate $50
blocked handicapped access non-shopping centers only
parking/stopped/standing 12 inches from curb or improper angle parking
1203(b)
1203(d)2
parked on highway for non-emergency repair
1203-b(2)
handicapped parking no permit - street or non-shopping center parking lot
1203-c(4)
handicapped parking no permit - blocking access to handicapped parking - shopping center or strip mall
improper plate, limited use vehicle
Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation Law (PRL or PRHPL or NYCRR 9) section Fine
any 378.1
any parking violation in a State Park
How do I plead "not guilty" by mail? Indicate “not guilty” on the back of your ticket, sign the ticket and carefully print your name and address. Mail the ticket to the court as specified on the ticket. You will be notified of a date for pretrial conference and/or trial.
Yes. If you received a parking ticket for illegally parking in a handicapped parking space, and at that time the driver or a passenger had a valid handicapped parking permit for the vehicle, you can submit an Ex parte motion to dismiss handicapped parking ticket, supporting affidavit, and consent to adjudication by a Judicial Hearing Officer (JHO) (form DC-422). With the form, along with a photocopy of the ticket, you must include a photocopy of the permit,
a photocopy of the permit holder's driver’s license (or some other photo identification if unlicensed), and a a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The form is an affidavit and must be sworn to and signed in the presence of a notary or a court clerk. The submitted form is treated as a motion to dismiss the ticket. The court will notify you by mail if the motion was granted and the ticket was dismissed, or if the motion was denied and you must appear on a future date. How can I pay a parking fine?
by timely mailing your parking ticket with your plea of guilty and either a check or money order payable to
by cash, check, money order or credit card (Visa or MasterCard - with
appear in the courtroom to ask for more time
What happens if I do not pay the parking fine? Generally, if you do not pay the fine, the Court (in the name of the People of the State of New York) enters a judgment
against you in the County Clerk's office.
The court may also suspend your
drivers license and your vehicle registration. How do I get an official record of what happened to my court case?
Transcript by mail - follow the instructions on form DC-411. If the case was sealed, you may need additional paperwork, for example, if your case was terminated in your favor and sealed (like
DC-412 with DC-411 if the case was sealed after an acquittal or dismissed and sealed,
DC-413 with DC-411.
You or your attorney must
Carleton Avenue, Central Islip NY 11722, and you must
Office, Appeals Bureau, Cromarty Criminal Court Complex,
200 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901, within 30
days from the date of sentence. If you appeared before the court pro
to the Clerk of the Court a desire to
appeal (see the bottom of the form DC-16), the Clerk will prepare and serve and file an
Claims Actions FAQ (Small Claims, Commercial Claims, and Consumer
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