The New York State Court System hears cases on a variety of legal matters.

CourtCase Types
Civil CourtDisputes between private individuals or corporations when the amount of the claim is up to $25,000
Criminal CourtCriminal cases and summonses, arraignments, felonies, and misdemeanor charges
Family CourtCustody, visitation, and guardianship of children and Orders of Protection
Housing CourtDisputes between landlords and tenants, including eviction
Small Claims CourtDisputes between private individuals or corporations when the amount of the claim is up to $10,000
Surrogate CourtWills, estates, the property of people who have died, adoptions, and guardianship

Other services provided by State Court include:

Please note that:

  • The City of New York’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) is not in the State’s court system. It is a separate administrative legal court that hears cases on City-Issued Violations or Summonses for quality of life laws, health codes, or other rules.
  • The federal government has its own court system, including Bankruptcy Court.

You can get help with questions about the State's court system in general and court-related matters. 

Online

Get court information.

Learn more about different courts.

By Phone

  • Agency: New York Courts
  • Phone Number: (800) 268-7869
  • Business Hours:
  • Automated assistance is also available in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Spanish.

You can file a complaint about State Court employees and the maintenance of court facilities. For complaints about judges, visit the Judge Complaint page instead.

You can also submit suggestions and comments.

Online

Make a complaint or give feedback.

By Phone

  • Agency: New York Courts
  • Phone Number: (800) 268-7869
  • Business Hours:
  • Automated assistance is also available in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Spanish.

Snow or Ice on Sidewalks

You can report snow or ice on a sidewalk in front of a courthouse.

If there is an emergency or a condition that needs immediate attention, you can speak to the chief clerk or the court officer of that court.

If the situation is not an emergency, you can file a complaint on the NY Courts website.

Judges are either appointed or elected. The Association of the Bar of the City of New York provides information on becoming a judge.

Visit the New York City Bar's website.

DateHoliday
Monday, January 17Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Friday, February 11Lincoln's Birthday (Observed)
Monday, February 21Presidents Day
Monday, May 30Memorial Day
Monday, June 20Juneteenth (Observed)
Monday, July 4Independence Day
Monday, September 5Labor Day
Monday, October 10Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day
Tuesday, November 8Election Day
Friday, November 11Veterans Day
Thursday, November 24Thanksgiving Day
Monday, December 26Christmas Day (Observed)

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