Courts in New York

More information on New York's state courts:
Selection methods Elections Salaries Federal courts

In New York, there are four federal district courts, a state court of appeals, a state supreme court, and trial courts with both general and limited jurisdiction. These courts serve different purposes, which are outlined in the sections below.

Click a link for information about that court type.

• Federal courts
• State court of appeals
• State supreme court
• Trial courts
• Courts in New York City
• Courts of limited jurisdiction

The image below depicts the flow of cases through New York's state court system. Cases typically originate in the trial courts and can be appealed to courts higher up in the system.

The structure of New York's state court system.

Judicial selection process

See also: Judicial selection in New York and New York judicial elections

The seven justices of the New York Court of Appeals serve 14-year terms. They are appointed by the governor from a list of candidates provided by a judicial nominating commission, pending confirmation from the New York Senate. The 60 justices of the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division serve for five years or until the end of a supreme court term, whichever is shorter. They are nominated by a commission and appointed by the governor from among sitting supreme court judges. The 324 justices of the New York Supreme Court are elected to 14-year terms in partisan elections. To appear on the ballot, candidates must be chosen at partisan nominating conventions. The 125 judges of the New York County Courts are selected in an identical manner as those of the New York Supreme Court. However, judges are elected to 10-year terms and must meet a different set of qualifications.

To read more about judicial elections in New York, click here.

Federal courts

The federal district courts in New York are the:

• Eastern District of New York
• Northern District of New York
• Southern District of New York
• Western District of New York

Appeals from the judgments and orders of these courts are considered by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.

Active judges

Eastern District

Judge	Appointed By	Assumed Office	Bachelors	Law
Roslynn Mauskopf	George W. Bush	October 18, 2007 -	Brandeis University, 1979	Georgetown University Law Center, 1982
Margo Brodie	Barack Obama (D)	February 29, 2012 -	St. Francis College, 1988	University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1991
Pamela Ki Mai Chen	Barack Obama (D)	March 5, 2013 -	University of Michigan, 1983	Georgetown University Law Center, 1986
Ann M. Donnelly	Barack Obama (D)	October 21, 2015 -	University of Michigan, 1981	The Ohio State University, Moritz School of Law, 1984
LaShann Moutique DeArcy Hall	Barack Obama (D)	November 17, 2015 -	Antioch College, 1992	Howard University School of Law, 2000
Rachel Kovner	Donald Trump (R)	October 17, 2019 -	Harvard College, 2001	Stanford Law School, 2006
Eric Komitee	Donald Trump (R)	December 5, 2019 -	Emory University, 1992	New York University Law School, 1995
Gary R. Brown	Donald Trump (R)	December 31, 2019 -	Columbia College, 1985	Yale Law School, 1988
Diane Gujarati	Donald Trump (R)	September 18, 2020 -	Barnard College, 1990	Yale Law School, 1995
Hector Gonzalez	Joe Biden (D)	April 18, 2022 -	Manhattan College, 1985	University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1988
Nina Morrison	Joe Biden (D)	August 11, 2022 -	Yale University, 1992	New York University School of Law, 1998
Orelia Merchant	Joe Biden (D)	May 12, 2023 -	Dillard University, 1992	Tulane University Law School, 1998
Nusrat Choudhury	Joe Biden (D)	July 5, 2023 -	Columbia University, 1998	Yale Law School, 2006
Natasha Merle	Joe Biden (D)	August 11, 2023 -	University of Texas at Austin, 2005	New York University Law School, 2008
Ramon Reyes Jr.	Joe Biden (D)	November 13, 2023 -	Cornell, 1988	Brooklyn Law, 1992
Sanket Bulsara	Joe Biden (D)	December 20, 2024 -	Harvard University, 1998	Harvard Law School, 2002

The list below displays the number of active judges by the party of the appointing president. It does not reflect how a judge may rule on specific cases or their own political preferences.

• Democrat appointed: 11
• Republican appointed: 6

Northern District

Judge	Appointed By	Assumed Office	Bachelors	Law
Mae A. D'Agostino	Barack Obama (D)	March 30, 2011 -	Siena College, 1977	Syracuse University Law, 1980
Brenda K. Sannes	Barack Obama (D)	November 21, 2014 -	Carleton College, 1980	University of Wisconsin Law School, 1983
Anne M. Nardacci	Joe Biden (D)	December 16, 2022 -	Georgetown University, 1998	Cornell Law School, 2002
Anthony Brindisi	Joe Biden (D)	December 9, 2024 -	Siena College, 2000	Albany Law School, 2004
Elizabeth Coombe	Joe Biden (D)	December 9, 2024 -	Hamilton College, 1989	University of Michigan Law School, 1992

The list below displays the number of active judges by the party of the appointing president. It does not reflect how a judge may rule on specific cases or their own political preferences.

• Democrat appointed: 5
• Republican appointed: 0

Southern District

Judge	Appointed By	Assumed Office	Bachelors	Law
John Koeltl	Bill Clinton (D)	August 10, 1994 -	Georgetown University, 1967	Harvard Law, 1971
Laura Swain	Bill Clinton (D)	July 11, 2000 -	Harvard-Radcliffe College, 1979	Harvard Law, 1982
Kenneth Karas	George W. Bush (R)	June 13, 2004 -	Georgetown University, 1986	Columbia University Law, 1991
Cathy Seibel	George W. Bush (R)	July 30, 2008 -	Princeton University, 1982	Fordham University Law, 1985
James Paul Oetken	Barack Obama (D)	July 20, 2011 -	University of Iowa, 1988	Yale Law, 1991
Paul A. Engelmayer	Barack Obama (D)	July 27, 2011 -	Harvard, 1983	Harvard Law, 1987
Edgardo Ramos	Barack Obama (D)	December 6, 2011 -	Yale, 1982	Harvard Law, 1987
Andrew L. Carter Jr.	Barack Obama (D)	December 8, 2011 -	University of Texas, 1991	Harvard Law, 1994
Jesse Furman	Barack Obama (D)	February 17, 2012 -	Harvard, 1994	Yale Law, 1998
Ronnie Abrams	Barack Obama (D)	March 23, 2012 -	Cornell University, 1990	Yale Law School, 1993
Katherine Failla	Barack Obama (D)	March 5, 2013 -	College of William & Mary, 1990	Harvard Law, 1993
Analisa Torres	Barack Obama (D)	April 23, 2013 -	Harvard, 1981	Columbia Law, 1984
Nelson S. Roman	Barack Obama (D)	May 13, 2013 -	Fordham University, 1984	Brooklyn Law, 1989
Vernon Broderick	Barack Obama (D)	September 10, 2013 -	Yale, 1985	Harvard Law, 1988
Gregory Howard Woods	Barack Obama (D)	November 18, 2013 -	Williams College, 1991	Yale Law, 1995
Mary Kay Vyskocil	Donald Trump (R)	December 20, 2019 -	Dominican College of Blauvelt, 1979	St. John's University School of Law, 1983
Lewis Liman	Donald Trump (R)	December 31, 2019 -	Harvard College, 1983	Yale University Law School, 1987
Philip M. Halpern	Donald Trump (R)	February 21, 2020 -	Fordham University, 1977	Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, 1980
John Peter Cronan	Donald Trump (R)	August 10, 2020 -	Georgetown University, 1998	Yale Law School, 2001
Jennifer Rochon	Joe Biden (D)	June 13, 2022 -	University of Michigan, 1992	New York University School of Law, 1997
Jennifer Rearden	Joe Biden (D)	October 7, 2022 -	Yale University, 1992	New York University School of Law, 1996
Arun Subramanian	Joe Biden (D)	April 13, 2023 -	Case Western Reserve University, 2001	Columbia Law School, 2004
Jessica Clarke	Joe Biden (D)	April 20, 2023 -	Northwestern University, 2005	Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law, 2008
Dale Ho	Joe Biden (D)	August 18, 2023 -	Princeton University, 1999	Yale Law School, 2005
Margaret Garnett	Joe Biden (D)	January 9, 2024 -	University of Notre Dame, 1992	Columbia Law School, 2000
Jeannette Vargas	Joe Biden (D)	November 6, 2024 -	Harvard College, 1995	Yale Law School, 2000

The list below displays the number of active judges by the party of the appointing president. It does not reflect how a judge may rule on specific cases or their own political preferences.

• Democrat appointed: 20
• Republican appointed: 7

Western District

Judge	Appointed By	Assumed Office	Bachelors	Law
Elizabeth A. Wolford	Barack Obama (D)	December 17, 2013 -	Colgate University, 1989	Notre Dame Law School, 1992
Lawrence Joseph Vilardo	Barack Obama (D)	October 29, 2015 -	Canisius College, 1977	Harvard Law School, 1980
John Sinatra	Donald Trump (R)	December 5, 2019 -	State University of New York, Buffalo, 1993	State University of New York, Buffalo School of Law, 1996
Meredith Vacca	Joe Biden (D)	July 31, 2024 -	Colgate University, 2002	State University of New York, Buffalo School of Law, 2005

The list below displays the number of active judges by the party of the appointing president. It does not reflect how a judge may rule on specific cases or their own political preferences.

• Democrat appointed: 3
• Republican appointed: 1

Judicial selection

Judges who sit on the federal district courts are nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. These judges serve life terms. To read more about the judges on these courts, click here.

Bankruptcy courts

There are four federal bankruptcy courts in New York. These courts have subject-matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases. The federal bankruptcy courts in New York are:

• United States bankruptcy court, Eastern District of New York
• United States bankruptcy court, Northern District of New York
• United States bankruptcy court, Southern District of New York
• United States bankruptcy court, Western District of New York

State court of appeals

See also: State of New York Court of Appeals

The New York Court of Appeals is the state's court of last resort. As the state's highest court, civil and criminal appeals from the supreme courts and appellate division courts in the state are heard by the Court of Appeals. Some cases may be appealed directly to this court from the state supreme courts.

Determinations made by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct regarding judicial misconduct allegations may also be appealed to this court.

The following judges sit on the court:

Office	Name	Party	Date assumed office
New York Court of Appeals	Anthony Cannataro	Nonpartisan	June 8, 2021
New York Court of Appeals	Michael Garcia	Nonpartisan	February 8, 2016
New York Court of Appeals	Caitlin J. Halligan	Nonpartisan	April 19, 2023
New York Court of Appeals	Jenny Rivera	Nonpartisan	February 11, 2013
New York Court of Appeals	Madeline Singas	Nonpartisan	June 8, 2021
New York Court of Appeals	Shirley Troutman	Nonpartisan	January 12, 2022
New York Court of Appeals	Rowan Wilson	Nonpartisan	February 6, 2017

State supreme court

See also: Supreme Court of the State of New York

See also: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division

The Supreme Court of the State of New York presides in each of New York's 62 counties. These courts are the highest trial courts in New York State, and are of general jurisdiction. While they have jurisdiction in all criminal and civil matters, the supreme courts in practice decide mainly civil cases outside of New York City. County courts handle criminal prosecutions in the counties. The New York Supreme Courts are not New York's courts of last resort. The Court of Appeals is the highest court in New York.

Appellate division

See also: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division

The New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division is the intermediate appellate court in New York. It is the appellate arm of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The appellate division is composed of four departments. Each department of the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, resolves appeals from the superior courts in civil and criminal cases. The appellate division also reviews civil appeals taken from the lower courts functioning as appellate courts. For the first and second departments, established in New York City, the lower courts are the Appellate Terms. For the third and fourth departments, the lower courts are the county courts. The appellate division can review questions of law and fact, and it can make new findings of fact. The appellate division hears some original cases along with the appeals originating in the lower appellate courts.

The following judges sit on the court:

Judge	Tenure	Appointed By
Martin Shulman	July 13, 2020 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Saliann Scarpulla	2020 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Manuel J. Mendez	2020 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
David Friedman	1999 - Present	George Pataki
Dianne T. Renwick	2008 - Present	David Paterson
Bahaati Pitt	May 25, 2021 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
John Higgitt	2021 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Peter H. Moulton	2017 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Anil C. Singh	2017 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Cynthia Kern	2017 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Ellen Gesmer	February 18, 2016 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Sallie Manzanet-Daniels	2009 - Present	David Paterson
Barbara R. Kapnick	2014 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Julio Rodriguez	2021 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Troy K. Webber	2016 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Tanya Kennedy	2020 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Lizbeth Gonzalez	November 1, 2019 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Stan L. Pritzker	May 26, 2017 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Sharon A. M. Aarons	March 1, 2016 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Christine M. Clark	2014 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
John C. Egan	2010 - Present	David Paterson
Molly R. Fitzgerald	November 6, 2019 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Elizabeth A. Garry	2009 - Present	David Paterson
Andrew G. Ceresia	January 4, 2022 - Present	Kathy Hochul
Eddie McShan	February 1, 2022 - Present	Kathy Hochul
Lisa M. Fisher	January 4, 2022 - Present	Kathy Hochul
Michael C. Lynch	2014 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Hector D. LaSalle	2014 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Colleen Duffy	2014 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Angela G. Iannacci	2017 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Betsy Barros	2014 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Cheryl Chambers	2008 - Present	Eliot Spitzer
Francesca Connolly	2016 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Linda Christopher	2017 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Mark C. Dillon	August 25, 2005 - Present	George Pataki
Robert J. Miller	December 21, 2010 - Present	David Paterson
Paul Wooten	November 1, 2019 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
William G. Ford	June 1, 2021 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Joseph A. Zayas	June 1, 2021 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Lara J. Genovesi	June 1, 2021 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Deborah Dowling	June 10, 2021 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Reinaldo E. Rivera	June 11, 2002 - Present	George Pataki
Helen Voutsinas	May 25, 2022 - Present	Kathy Hochul
Barry E. Warhit	May 25, 2022 - Present	Kathy Hochul
Phillip Hom	August 16, 2024 - Present	Kathy Hochul
James P. McCormack	August 16, 2024 - Present	Kathy Hochul
Donna-Marie E. Golia	August 16, 2024 - Present	Kathy Hochul
Lillian Wan	May 25, 2022 - Present	Kathy Hochul
Nancy E. Smith	2004 - Present	George Pataki
John M. Curran	2016 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Stephen K. Lindley	January 21, 2010 - Present	David Paterson
Mark A. Montour	September 29, 2022 - Present	Kathy Hochul
E. Jeannette Ogden	November 29, 2022 - Present	Kathy Hochul
Donald A. Greenwood	January 26, 2023 - Present	Kathy Hochul
Tracey A. Bannister	November 1, 2019 - Present	Andrew Cuomo
Gerald J. Whalen	2012 - Present	Andrew Cuomo

Trial courts

County courts

See also: New York County Courts

With the exception of the five counties that comprise New York City, each county in the state has a county court. These 57 courts have jurisdiction over all criminal cases filed in the county, as well as civil lawsuits with an amount in controversy under $25,000.

District courts

See also: New York District Courts

There are district courts in Nassau County and Suffolk County that handle misdemeanors, lesser offenses like infractions, and civil lawsuits under $15,000.

City courts

See also: New York City Courts

City courts in the state (outside of New York City) have jurisdiction over criminal cases occurring within their city, such as misdemeanors or infractions, and civil lawsuits where the amount in dispute is less than $15,000.

Town and village courts

See also: New York Town and Village Courts

There are 1,300 town and village courts located throughout the state. Also called justice courts, these courts have jurisdiction over criminal matters such as misdemeanors and infractions where the potential punishment is under one year or a fine. The limit for civil matters handled by these courts is capped at $3,000.

Family courts

See also: New York Family Courts

Cases heard in family court involve children and families. Family courts may approve adoptions, handle domestic violence matters and terminate parental rights, among other functions. The court does not hold jurisdiction over divorce proceedings.

Surrogate's court

See also: New York Surrogate's Court

The surrogate's courts hear cases involving adoptions, probate, and the administration of estates.

Courts in New York City

New York City has five supreme courts, one for each of its five boroughs (i.e., counties). Each court has two terms, or divisions, to hear cases originating within the city. The civil term has jurisdiction over civil matters with an amount in controversy of more than $25,000. Criminal felony cases, where the crime is punishable by more than one-year imprisonment, occurring in New York City are heard in the criminal term.

New York City Civil Court

See also: Civil Court of the City of New York

The New York City Civil Courts are trial courts of limited jurisdiction within each of New York City's five boroughs. Each has jurisdiction over landlord-tenant cases and civil claims up to $25,000. It also includes a small claims section for the informal resolution of cases involving lesser amounts, which is capped at $5,000.

New York City Criminal Courts

See also: The Criminal Court of the City of New York

The New York City Criminal Courts are located within each of New York City's five boroughs and have jurisdiction over misdemeanors committed within the city, crimes punishable by fine, preliminary hearings on felony arrests and prostitution-related crimes.

Courts of limited jurisdiction

Court of Claims

See also: New York Court of Claims

Civil litigation for claims against the State of New York or related entities must be filed with the Court of Claims. The court is located in Albany, New York.

Problem solving courts

See also: New York Problem Solving Courts

There are multiple problem-solving courts within the state of New York, including mental health courts, community courts, human trafficking courts, domestic violence courts, and drug treatment courts.

In other states

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See also

• Judicial selection in New York
• New York judicial elections

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic
• New York State Unified Court System

Footnotes

New York courts

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Federal courts:

Second Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of New York, Western District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of New York, Western District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York

State courts:

New York Court of Appeals • New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division • New York Supreme Court • New York County Courts • New York City Courts • New York Town and Village Courts • New York Family Courts • New York Surrogates' Courts • New York City Civil Court • New York City Criminal Courts • New York Court of Claims • New York Problem Solving Courts

State resources:

Courts in New York • New York judicial elections • Judicial selection in New York