Monroe County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Monroe County was established in 1821 and named after the U.S. fifth president, James Monroe. It occupies approximately 657 square miles of land in the western part of New York State. More than 756,400 residents live in Monroe County, and the City of Rochester is the county's government seat. Monroe County's judiciary comprises six trial courts, including Supreme, County, Family, Surrogate's, City, and Town/Village Courts.

The Supreme and County Courts in Monroe County are under New York's 7th Judicial District. The Supreme Court handles criminal proceedings outside the purview of lesser trial courts. The apex trial court also handles general civil claims above $25,000 and marriage annulment cases. On the other hand, the County Court hears most felony and misdemeanor trials that occur in Monroe County. Other legal matters resolved at the County Court include foreclosures, illegal evictions, real estate contract disputes, and other civil claims of less than $25,000. Monroe County has a Family Court that handles juvenile offenses of minors aged 16 or less. Family Court judges typically hear matters related to juvenile delinquency, child custody, child abuse/neglect, adoption, and paternity. The Monroe County Surrogate's Court has jurisdiction over probate cases, including guardianships, conservatorships, and administration of estates. There is also a City Court in Rochester, which has Criminal and Civil Divisions. Lesser misdemeanors and felony preliminary hearings occur at the City Court's Criminal Division. Conversely, the Civil Division resolves domestic violence, drug treatment, mental health, and small claims cases below $15,000. Local municipalities in Monroe County have Towns/Village Courts that handle ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and small claims of not more than $3,000. Also known as Justice Courts, these local courts are located in:

• Brighton
• Brockport
• Chili
• Clarkson
• East Rochester
• Fairport
• Gates
• Greece
• Hamlin
• Henrietta
• Honeoye
• Irondequoit
• Mendon
• Ogden
• Parma
• Penfield
• Perinton
• Pittsford
• Riga
• Rush
• Sweden
• Webster
• Wheatland

Monroe County's Supreme and County Courts disposes about 4,000 felony and misdemeanor cases annually. Meanwhile, law enforcers in the county report a minimum of 15,000 offenses every year between 2018 and 2022. The Monroe County County Clerk maintains case files created in the Supreme and County Courts. Anyone can contact the Clerk's Office to access public court records. Interested persons can also obtain case documents created in other local courts by contacting their Official Court Clerks. Some records may be accessible online using the NY eCourts portal. In Monroe County and other New York municipalities, court clerks prohibit access to sealed and confidential documents.

In summary, Monroe County's judicial system consists of the Supreme, Family, Surrogate, City, and Town/Village Courts. They ensure efficient and fair justice across various legal matters, from civil and criminal cases to local disputes. The county judiciary also maintains an open judicial process by providing public access to court records.