Ny Court Systems

The New York Court System is a very important system in our state, and is driven heavily on a set of rules unique to itself. In this case, New York has a certain way of distributing its courts. There are 8 main types of courts in New York State, each dealing with its own respective types of cases. These courts are all essential in their own way and there are several uses for each one. Each branch of New York State law has its own rank in power as well.

One type of court in New York is The Supreme Court. It is considered a “trial level court” and there is a supreme court in all 62 of New York’s counties. This Court often handles civil cases not involving criminal acts, small felony cases, and issues with civil litigation. Only Civil cases in which twenty five thousand dollars or less is at stake can be decided. The Supreme Court of New York is an exclusive court that often hears cases outside the jurisdiction of other courts, and performs civil jurisdiction over felony charges. The Supreme Court is the most powerful court in the New York next to one, and that is the Court of Appeals.

Another type of court in The New York Court system is the family court. The Family court is a court dealing with family affairs. The family court often deals with many cases involving family affairs, including child custody and visitation, adoption, child support, domestic violence, child abuse and/or neglect, foster care approval, guardianship, juvenile delinquency, paternity, and Persons in need of supervision. The case dealt with mainly in the Family court is often divorce, and issues involving this conflict. The family court is also a branch of the Supreme Court and shares its amount of power.

Another type of court in the New York Court system is known as a town or village court. These courts are often local. They are also referred to as Justice Courts. These courts hear cases, or have jurisdiction over cases including vehicle/traffic issues, small claims, evictions, civil matters, as well as criminal affairs. There are around 1300 locally funded Justice Courts within New York State and this is often where New Yorkers will have their first and only experience in court. Along with the town court, some towns have a “Juvenile Justice Program”, where people between the ages of 16 and 19 who have committed misdemeanors or other lower violations perform community service in their respective towns as to avoid time in the penal system. In addition, town courts may have a mediation program in which Mediators are recruited to find a mediated solution without approaching a judge. Town courts will hear all local and traffic involved cases,