Court records in Broome County, New York, are maintained by multiple clerks and court offices across the county's state and federal court system. BroomeCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Broome County. You can also access records through the Broome County Clerk's Office, the New York State Unified Court System's online tools, and individual court offices. The Clerk's Office holds land records dating back to 1946 and court documents going back to 1986, along with certain criminal case files.
Broome Court System Overview
Broome County is part of the Sixth Judicial District of New York State, which also includes Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins counties. The New York State Unified Court System administers courts statewide, with an Administrative Judge overseeing the Sixth Judicial District. In Broome County, the primary trial-level courts include Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate's Court, and City Court. Town and village justice courts also operate throughout the county. The main courthouse complex is located in downtown Binghamton.
Courts Serving Broome County
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Broome County Supreme Court & County Court | 92 Court Street, Binghamton, NY 13901 | (607) 240-5800 |
| Broome County Family Court | 65 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901 | (607) 240-5790 |
| Broome County Surrogate's Court | 92 Court Street, Binghamton, NY 13901 | (607) 240-5796 |
| Binghamton City Court | 38 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901 | (607) 772-7006 |
| U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York (Binghamton Division) | 15 Henry Street, Binghamton, NY 13901 | (315) 234-8500 |
| Town & Village Justice Courts | Various locations throughout Broome County | Contact individual courts |
Broome County falls within the Northern District of New York for federal matters, including federal criminal cases, civil litigation, and bankruptcy proceedings handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York.
What Types of Cases Broome County Courts Hear
Courts in Broome County handle a wide range of case types across multiple divisions:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, violations, and infractions
- Civil litigation: Contract disputes, personal injury, property disputes, and commercial matters
- Small claims: Monetary disputes up to statutory limits
- Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, orders of protection, and adoption
- Probate and estates: Wills, estate administration, guardianships, and trusts
- Juvenile: Juvenile delinquency and persons in need of supervision (PINS)
- Traffic: Vehicle and traffic law violations
The sections below explain which court handles each category and how cases proceed.
District Court Cases in Broome County
New York does not use "district courts" at the county level outside of New York City and Nassau and Suffolk counties. In Broome County, Supreme Court is the court of general jurisdiction, handling major civil cases without a dollar limit, matrimonial actions (including divorce), and felony criminal cases. County Court has jurisdiction over felony prosecutions, civil cases up to $25,000, and appeals from lower courts such as city court and justice courts. Felony cases typically begin with an arraignment or preliminary hearing in a local court and proceed to County Court after grand jury indictment. A County Court judge presides, and cases are assigned through the court's administrative office. Post-conviction motions under CPL Article 440 are also heard in County Court.
Magistrate Court Cases in Broome County
Broome County does not have a magistrate court in the traditional sense. Instead, Binghamton City Court and the various Town and Village Justice Courts function as the lower courts. These courts handle:
- Misdemeanors and violations
- Felony arraignments and preliminary hearings
- Civil cases up to $15,000 (City Court)
- Small claims up to $5,000 (City Court) or $3,000 (Justice Courts)
- Traffic and vehicle violations
- DUI/DWI arraignments
- Landlord-tenant disputes and eviction proceedings
Justice courts across Broome County's towns handle local criminal matters and traffic offenses within their jurisdictions. If a felony charge is sustained, the case is transferred to County Court for prosecution.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Broome County
Family Law
Broome County Family Court handles custody, visitation, child support, paternity, family offense petitions (orders of protection), and termination of parental rights. Divorce and matrimonial actions are filed in Supreme Court. The Broome County Clerk's Office maintains divorce records, though non-parties must obtain a Supreme Court order to access sealed files. Information about uncontested divorce procedures is available through the Clerk's Office.
Probate
Surrogate's Court in Broome County handles probate of wills, estate administration, guardianship of minors and incapacitated persons, and trust matters. Filings are made at the Surrogate's Court clerk window at 92 Court Street in Binghamton.
Juvenile
Juvenile delinquency and PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision) cases are heard in Family Court. Juvenile records are confidential under New York law and are not available to the general public. Contact Family Court at (607) 240-5790 for procedural questions.
How Cases Move Through the Broome County Court System
- Filing or initiation: Criminal cases begin with an arrest or the filing of a criminal complaint. Civil cases start with the filing of a summons and complaint. Family and probate matters begin with a petition.
- Assignment to a judge: Cases are assigned through the court's administrative office based on case type and judicial availability.
- Initial appearance: In criminal cases, the defendant is arraigned and bail is set. In civil cases, a preliminary conference or scheduling order is issued.
- Pre-trial phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and may engage in plea negotiations (criminal) or settlement discussions (civil).
- Trial or resolution: Cases proceed to trial before a judge or jury, or are resolved through plea agreement, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment: Criminal cases may involve sentencing and appeal. Civil cases may involve enforcement of judgments or post-trial motions.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Broome County
The Sixth Judicial District Administrative Judge oversees court operations in Broome County. Day-to-day administration is handled by the District Administrative Office and local chief clerks for each court.
- Local rules: The Sixth Judicial District's local rules and individual judges' part rules are published through the New York State Unified Court System website at nycourts.gov.
- Public access: Court records in New York are generally open to the public, with exceptions for sealed records, juvenile proceedings, certain family court matters, and records sealed under CPL § 160.50 or § 160.55. Requests for county-level records can be made through the Broome County Clerk's Office or through a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request.
- Attending hearings: Most court proceedings are open to the public. Some courts in Broome County offer virtual appearances for certain case types — contact the specific court clerk to ask about remote hearing options.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Broome County
- Court document and land record search: The Broome County Clerk's Office provides access to land records from 1946 and court documents from 1986 forward. The Broome County GIS Portal also offers a County Clerk search tool.
- Criminal history search: The Clerk's Office warehouses a limited number of closed felony files. Review the Criminal History Search FAQs for details on what is available locally. For official state criminal history records, contact the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
- Court forms: Commonly requested forms filed in the Broome County Clerk's Office are available on the Clerk's forms page.
- Records management: The Broome County Records Management Office oversees the retention and management of county records.
- Inmate lookup: Search for individuals incarcerated in New York State correctional facilities through the DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup tool, or visit NY.gov's facility search. For the Broome County jail, contact the Corrections Division at (607) 778-1911.
- Sex offender registry: The DCJS website provides access to the New York State Sex Offender Registry.
- Sheriff's Office records: The Records Division of the Broome County Sheriff's Office maintains official law enforcement records. Recent arrest information is posted on the Sheriff's news releases page.
- Warrants: Contact the Warrants Division at (607) 778-2933 or (607) 778-2923 to inquire about active warrants.
- State Police records: Certain law enforcement records can be obtained by filing a FOIL request with the New York State Police.
- Property records: Search property data using the Image Mate Online parcel search or visit the Real Property Tax Services office for tax and assessment information.