Monroe County Courts

Monroe County accounts for approximately 3.76% of New York State's total population, with nearly 752,000 residents out of the state's 20 million residents. The City of Rochester serves as the county seat. On average, up to 55,000 new cases are filed at the county courts and approximately 52,00 cases are disposed of annually. The annual caseload filings typically include approximately 3,600 criminal cases, 7,300 civil cases, and 10,500 family law matters.

The trial courts in Monroe County are responsible for adjudicating legal cases within their jurisdiction. These cases include different matters involving criminal offenses, civil actions, family law disputes, and probate contests. While several lower courts are located across the county, the main trial courts handling major cases are in Rochester, the county seat. The county trial courts include :

• Supreme Court: This is the highest trial court in the county, and it has general jurisdiction over all cases. However, it typically handles matters outside the jurisdiction of other courts, including non-criminal claims worth $25,000 or more, felony cases, and appeals from lower courts.
• County Court: Most criminal matters and certain civil cases are handled by the County Court. Such cases include felonies, misdemeanors, and civil cases where the amount disputed is up to $25,000.
• Family Court: The court has jurisdiction over domestic relations and juvenile cases, such as child support, child neglect, and divorce.
• Surrogate's Court: Legal matters related to the administration of decedents' estates, wills, and guardianship.
• City Court: This court handles specific civil and criminal matters, including misdemeanors, small claims, personal property, and commercial claims.

Lastly, Monroe County has several town and village courts that hear certain matters originating in their respective municipalities, such as local ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and zoning violations.

How To Access Monroe County Court Records

Under the New York Freedom of Information Law, Monroe County court records are designated as public records, except for those that are sealed or confidential. Court records related to juvenile cases, sealed information, adoptions, and expunged files are typically not accessible to the public.

To obtain court records from the county, individuals may be required to provide a valid government-issued ID and the case number related to the documents they are requesting.

Online

Monroe County court records are available online through the NY Unified Court System eCourts case information portals. Likewise, the county clerk maintains a local public records database through which anyone may search for cases filed at the county courts. Users may search for cases by party name, case number, indictment number, or the judge's name.

Additionally, CourtCaseFinder typically provides online access to Monroe County court records, which are sourced from publicly available records.

Interested individuals may access federal cases adjudicated in Monroe County by searching for them using the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) case locator. Such individuals are required to register on the portal and may be subject to certain fees to access federal case files or the information they contain.

In-Person

The courthouses in Monroe County serve as a repository for court records. Each county typically has a designated clerk who is responsible for providing access to these records. Interested persons may visit the appropriate Clerk's Office to request copies of documents generated from proceedings handled by the court. The courthouse may also offer self-service resources such as public access terminals that allow individuals to search court records.

Record seekers may pay some costs for copying and certifying court records in the county. Custodians typically charge $0.65 per page to prepare copies of these records, while certifications cost $5 each.

Old and Archived Court Records

Historic and archived court records may not be available online or maintained at the courthouses in Monroe County. To obtain such records, interested persons may consider searching the New York State Archives by visiting or submitting mail requests to:

The NY State Archives requires visitors to book appointments ahead of their visit by calling or sending an email.

How To File a Case in Monroe County

In Monroe County, residents may initiate a legal matter by filing a case in person at the appropriate court or electronically through the NYS Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) system. Before filing a case in Monroe County, litigants may contact the Court Clerk's Office to determine which court has jurisdiction over the matter they intend to file.

Filing fees are typically required from litigants, and these fees can vary depending on the court or type of case, as outlined in the filing fees schedule. For civil matters filed in the Supreme or County Court, the standard filing fee is $210. However, additional fees may apply for various services. The filing fees for small claims range between $10 and $20.

Litigants who are low-income earners or unable to afford the filing fees may request fee waivers by filing a fee waiver application. Judges may require applicants to provide specific proof of financial needs for fee waivers, such as pay stubs or bank statements.

Individuals may consider following these steps to file a court case in Monroe County:

• Identify the case type and the court of jurisdiction.
• Visit the court's website to obtain the necessary court forms and prepare the documents to be filed. The documents to be filed generally depend on the case type and may include petitions/complaints, notices, summons, and exhibits.
• Pay the required filing fees or request fee waivers.
• File the case by submitting the prepared documents and forms in person at the appropriate Clerk's Office or electronically via the NYSCEF portal.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

In Monroe County, litigants who are low-income earners or unable to afford attorney services may seek legal assistance or use self-help resources provided by the local courts, legal aid societies, or pro bono panels.

Eligible persons may consider one or more of the following legal help or self-help resources available in the county:

• Statewide Help Resources for Self-Represented Litigants
• LawHelp New York
• 7th Judicial District Court Help Center
• NYCourts Ask a Law Librarian Service
• NYSCEF E-Filing Resource Center
• NYS DIY Forms
• Local and Statewide Free/Affordable Legal Representation
• Monroe County Public Defender's Office
• Monroe County Conflict Defender's Office
• Monroe County Legal Assistance of Western New York
• JustCause New York
• Non-profit Legal Aid Societies
• Legal Aid Society of Rochester
• Empire Justice Center
• Family Legal Care
• Worker Justice Center of New York
• State and County Pro-bono Panels
• Monroe County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
• New York State Bar Association

Types of Courts in Monroe County, New York

Monroe County has various courts that handle legal matters within their jurisdiction, including the County Court, City Courts, and Federal Courts. The following is a list of the county courts, the cases they handle, and their contact details:

Monroe County Supreme Court

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: Foreclosures, real property actions, civil actions with claims over $25,000, felonies, divorces, election disputes, and commercial litigations.

Address and Contact Information:

Monroe County Court

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: Certain felonies, serious misdemeanors, debt collection suits, property damage, contract disputes, appeals from lower courts, and other civil actions with claims under $25,000.

Address and Contact Information:

Monroe County Family Court

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: Domestic violence, child abuse/neglect, juvenile delinquency, custody and visitation rights, adoptions, guardianship for minors, and emancipation.

Address and Contact Information:

Monroe County Surrogate's Court

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: This court handles probate of wills, estate administration, adoptions, and guardianships.

Address and Contact Information:

Monroe County City Court

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: less serious misdemeanor criminal offenses, disorderly conduct, trespass, traffic offenses, preliminary hearings for felonies, civil actions with claims up to $15,000, small claims, and evictions.

Address and Contact Information:

Rochester City Court - Criminal Division

Rochester City Court - Civil Division

Monroe County Town Courts and Village Courts

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: These courts have shared jurisdiction over cases involving lesser criminal offenses, small claims, civil cases up to $3,000, and preliminary hearings for felony trials. They also handle local ordinance violations, such as zoning violations, building code enforcement, noise complaints, dog control issues, and traffic infractions.

The town and village courts operating in Monroe County include:

Brighton Town Court

Brockport Village Court

Chili Town Court

Clarkson Justice Court

East Rochester Town Court

Fairport Village Court

Gates Town Court

Greece Town Court

Hamlin Justice Court

Henrietta Town Court

Honeoye Falls Village Court

Irondequoit Town Court

Mendon Justice Court

Ogden Justice Court

Parma Justice Court

Penfield Town Court

Perinton Town Court

Pittsford Town Court

Riga Town Court

Rush Justice Court

Sweden Town Court

Webster Justice Court

Wheatland Town Court

Federal Courts in Monroe County

The following federal courts serve residents of Monroe County:

United States District Court - Western District of New York

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - It handles cases originating in the county that fall under federal laws and matters involving federal agents.

Address and contact information:

United States Bankruptcy Court - Western District of New York

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: This court handles bankruptcy-related matters filed by residents and businesses in the county.

Address and Contact Information:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Monroe County Courts