Courts Government of New York City

the state court system in new york city has 2 citywide courts, criminal court , civil court, , several statewide courts, supreme court, surrogate s court, , family court. unlike rest of new york, new york city counties not have typical county court. each statewide court located in each of new york city s 5 counties (boroughs). there numerous extrajudicial administrative courts, executive agencies , not part of state unified court system.

the surrogate s courthouse containing courtrooms surrogate s court new york county

the criminal court of city of new york handles misdemeanors (generally, crimes punishable fine or imprisonment of 1 year) , lesser offenses, , conducts arraignments (initial court appearances following arrest) , preliminary hearings in felony cases.

the civil court of city of new york decides lawsuits involving claims damages $25,000 , includes small claims part cases involving amounts $5,000 housing part landlord-tenant matters, , handles other civil matters referred supreme court. handles 25% of new york state , local courts total filings.

there several other county-by-county state courts. supreme court of state of new york trial court of general jurisdiction, in new york city hears felony cases , major civil cases. (lesser criminal , civil cases heard in criminal court , civil court, respectively.) family court of state of new york family court hears cases involving children , families. surrogate s court of state of new york probate court oversees probate of wills , administers estates.

there several extrajudicial administrative courts. office of administrative trials , hearings adjudicates matters city agencies unless otherwise provided executive order, rule, law or pursuant collective bargaining agreements. department of finance adjudication division (parking violations bureau) adjudicates parking violations, , tax appeals tribunal adjudicates disputes regarding city-administered taxes other real estate assessment claims, adjudicated city tax commission. state dmv traffic violations bureau adjudicates non-parking traffic violations.