The Westchester Surrogate's Court has a chief clerk and deputy. This court deals with matter of probate and the administration of estates for Westchester County. It is located in the Westchester Supreme and County Courthouse.
Suffolk County Supreme Court has jurisdiction over all other county courts, both criminal and civil. Cases heard generally fall outside the jurisdiction of other courts. The Supreme Court is located on Court Street, in between Griffing Avenue and Osborne Avenue.
Located at the county complex on Center Drive, the Surrogate's Court in Riverhead represents the 10th Judicial District of New York State. Judge John M. Czygier Jr. hears cases pertaining to wills, estates and adoptions.
If an arraignment is the result of an arrest by the Suffolk County Police, the defendant is generally arraigned in First District Court, Central Islip in courtroom, D-11.
However, if the arrest occurs in one of the East-End towns, arraignment will occur at the appropriate Town or Village Court.
An arraignment is the formal reading of the accusatory instrument, together with a setting of bail. Provision is made to give the defendant an opportunity to get a lawyer or, if required, one is appointed. Defendant is also given statutory warnings as to his or her right to counsel.
After arraignment, misdemeanor cases are then adjourned to the Conference Part of the District Court. Cases involving felony complaints are first reviewed the District Attorney's Case Advisory Bureau (CAB). CAB will then, as appropriate, refer the case to a specialized bureau, reduce charges to misdemeanors, or present the case to a Grand Jury. CAB also conducts felony early assessment dispositions (FED's) on certain felony cases in an effort to reach appropriate dispositions of such matters.
The New York State Supreme, Rockland County Court, Family and Surrogate's Court are located at the Rockland County Courthouse. These courts hear civil and criminal matters.
SUPREME COURT
HON. ROBERT BERLINER
HON. MARGARET GARVEY
HON. LINDA S. JAMIESON
HON. WILLIAM A. KELLY
HON. ALFRED J. WEINER
COUNTY COURT
HON. CHARLES A APOTHEKER (A.J.S.C.)
HON. WILLIAM K. NELSON (A.J.S.C.)
Chief Clerk - John F. Hussey
Deputy Chief Clerk - Cynthia Salters
Phone: 845-638-5393
Fax: 845-638-5312
SURROGATE'S COURT
HON. THOMAS E. WALSH (A.J.S.C.)
Chief Clerk - Virginia Athens
Deputy Chief Clerk - Eileen Horan
Phone: 845-483-8210
Fax: 845-638-5632
FAMILY COURT
HON. LINDA CHRISTOPHER (A.J.S.C.)
HON. WILLIAM P. WARREN (A.J.S.C.)
Chief Clerk - Anna Kosovych
Deputy Chief Clerk - Diane Gould
Support Magistrates
Rachelle Kaufman
Catherine Miklitsch
Court Attorney Referee
Sam Adelson
Stephanie Lammers
Dean Richard Mendelson
Phone: 845-483-8210
Fax: 845-638-5319
Law Library Assistant - Frances Nicklus
845-483-8399
History of the Rockland County Courthouse
The original courthouse in Rockland County was located in Tappan which was the county seat for all of Orange County (which at the time included Rockland County.) It was a log structure, complete with whipping posts and stocks. In 1774 the courthouse was moved to New City and shortly after the revolutionary war, the two-story frame courthouse was completed. In 1798 Rockland separated from Orange County. After that, New City became the county seat.
The courthouse that was completed after the revolutionary war quickly proved to be inadequate to the needs of the growing population. In 1823 the proposition to provide a larger location was approved, but controversy arose over its proposed location. At that time, New City was in the geographical center of the county, but it was not in the center of population. In 1827 a decision was made which stated that the proper and convenient site for the courthouse was where it currently stood. The old wooden courthouse was demolished and a new two-story brick building was built during 1827 and 1828.
In 1846, a fire proof building was built south of the courthouse which contained the county clerk and surrogate offices. In 1856, a two-story brick jail was built adjacent to the courthouse. In 1873, due to the unfit and inadequate conditions of the buildings, the building which was erected in 1846 was demolished and a new one was built. No extensive additions were made from this time until the modern courthouse and jail were built in 1929.
The courthouse built in 1929 had an underground tunnel that connected it to the jail next door. At the time it was labeled as the "most modern type" because it had a kitchen, laundry room, fingerprint room, prisoner interview room, and several levels of cells.
The old jail has since been torn down, making room for a modern expansion of the County Courthouse. The public entrance to the courthouse and the County Clerk's Office is from the new wing, accessible from the parking lot of neighboring Allison-Parris County Office Building.
There are District Courts in Nassau County and the five western towns of Suffolk County. District Courts have criminal jurisdiction over misdemeanors and lesser offenses, and civil jurisdiction over claims of up to $15,000.
The District Courts are the "local criminal court" and the "local civil court" for the municipalities they serve.
The Suffolk County District Court became operational in January 1964. Prior to its creation, each of the five western towns of the county (Babylon, Huntington, Smithtown, Islip and Brookhaven) had what would now be considered a town justice court (as the five eastern towns of Suffolk County still operate).
The Uniform District Court Act transferred the authority of the five western town courts to the newly established District Court and provided for a courthouse in each of the five districts and a central location referred to as the First District.
