New York County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

New York County is the state designation for Manhattan Borough, one of the five boroughs that form New York City. It has a land area of about 23 square miles, making it the smallest county in New York. The county was established in 1683 and does not have a county seat. It is home to popular landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. As of 2022, more than 1.65 million people resided in New York County. The county judiciary consists of five trial courts, including the Supreme, Family, Surrogates, NYC Civil, and NYC Criminal Courts.

The New York County Supreme Court has unlimited jurisdiction over all legal matters in the county. It consists of two branches: the Civil and Criminal Terms. The Supreme Court Criminal Term hears all felony cases, while the Civil Branch handles civil disputes involving financial settlements for more than $50,000. Probate cases such as administration of estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and handling of decedents' wills are within the purview of the Surrogate's Court. The Family Court in New York County typically handles juvenile offenses, child protective proceedings, adoption cases, termination of paternity rights, and custody issues. As an NYC Borough, New York County has two city courts: New York City Civil and New York City Criminal Courts. Misdemeanor criminal proceedings and felony pre-trials typically occur in the county's NYC Criminal Court. Offenders who face drug charges or abuse drugs are referred to the Manhattan Treatment Courts. The NYC Civil Court in New York County has three Divisions, including Civil, Housing, and Small Claims. The Housing Division resolves all landlord-tenant issues, while the Civil Division handles financial disputes for $50,000 or less and other small claims cases.

According to the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), New York County law enforcers have reported about 50,000 crimes each year since 2020. Each year, the county courts typically receive approximately 150,000 case fillings while disposing of 95% of these cases. Court documents showing case fillings are available at the NY County Clerk's Office. Interested persons can contact the County Clerk to inquire about accessible court records. They can also use the state's eCourts portal to find court records online. Case files that are confidential under state or federal laws are not publicly accessible.

In summary, New York County's judiciary ensures a fair and efficient court system thanks to the collective efforts of the Supreme, Family, Surrogate's, NYC Civil, and NYC Criminal Courts. These courts handle a wide range of legal matters. They also promote justice and maintain public trust through accessible court records and transparent proceedings.