Court records in Clinton County, New York are maintained by the County Clerk's office and individual court clerks, and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and in-person visits. ClintonCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Clinton County. You can also search records through the New York State Unified Court System's electronic portal, the Clinton County Clerk's Office, and other government resources described below.
Clinton County Court System Overview
Clinton County is part of New York's Fourth Judicial District, which covers multiple counties in the northeastern part of the state. The New York State Unified Court System administers courts statewide, with local operations overseen by the District Administrative Judge for the Fourth Judicial District. Clinton County's primary courthouse is located in Plattsburgh, the county seat.
New York uses a unified court system rather than the district/magistrate model found in some other states. In Clinton County, the main trial-level courts include Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate's Court, and the City Court of Plattsburgh. Town and village justice courts handle local matters throughout the county. The County Clerk's Office assists Supreme and County Courts by handling fees, fines, filings, and certifying court records.
Courts Serving Clinton County
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Clinton County Supreme Court | 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 | (518) 565-4715 |
| Clinton County Court | 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 | (518) 565-4715 |
| Clinton County Family Court | 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 | (518) 565-4658 |
| Clinton County Surrogate's Court | 137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 | (518) 565-4630 |
| Plattsburgh City Court | 24 US Oval, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 | (518) 563-7870 |
| U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York | 15 Henry Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 | (518) 561-1240 |
In addition to these courts, numerous town and village justice courts operate throughout Clinton County, handling traffic violations, small claims, and minor criminal matters at the local level.
What Types of Cases Clinton County Courts Hear
Clinton County's courts collectively handle a broad range of case types:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, violations, and infractions
- Civil litigation: Contract disputes, personal injury, property disputes, and monetary claims of all amounts
- Small claims: Informal civil disputes up to $5,000 (City Court) or $3,000 (justice courts)
- Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, orders of protection, adoption
- Probate/Surrogate: Decedent estates, wills, guardianships, trusts
- Juvenile: Juvenile delinquency, persons in need of supervision (PINS)
- Traffic: Moving violations, parking infractions, DWI/DWAI
The sections below explain which court handles each category.
District Court Cases in Clinton County
New York does not use the term "district court" at the county level outside New York City. In Clinton County, the equivalent trial courts of general jurisdiction are Supreme Court and County Court.
- Supreme Court has unlimited original jurisdiction over civil matters, including cases involving large monetary claims, matrimonial actions (divorce), and equity proceedings. It also hears felony criminal cases.
- County Court handles felony prosecutions, misdemeanor cases, and civil matters where the amount in controversy is $25,000 or less. It also hears appeals from city, town, and village courts.
Felony cases typically begin with an arraignment or preliminary hearing in a local court before being presented to a grand jury. If indicted, the case proceeds in County Court. A County Court judge or Supreme Court justice presides, and cases are assigned through the court's administrative process. The Clinton County Clerk manages filings and certified records for both courts.
Magistrate Court Cases in Clinton County
New York's local courts — the Plattsburgh City Court and the town and village justice courts — function as the equivalent of magistrate courts in Clinton County. These courts handle:
- Misdemeanors and violations
- Felony arraignments and preliminary hearings
- Civil cases up to $15,000 (City Court) or $3,000 (justice courts)
- Small claims up to $5,000 (City Court) or $3,000 (justice courts)
- Traffic violations and vehicle-and-traffic infractions
- DWI/DWAI arraignments and hearings
Plattsburgh City Court is the busiest local court in the county, handling cases arising within city limits. Town and village justice courts across Clinton County hear matters from their respective jurisdictions. These courts also issue warrants, set bail, and handle orders of protection in criminal cases.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Clinton County
Family Law
Clinton County Family Court handles custody, visitation, child support, paternity, family offense proceedings (orders of protection), and termination of parental rights. Divorce and legal separation are filed in Supreme Court as matrimonial actions. Family Court is located at 137 Margaret Street in Plattsburgh. Clinton County also operates a Pretrial Release Program through the Probation Department, which may intersect with family-related criminal matters.
Probate
Clinton County Surrogate's Court handles all probate matters, including the probate of wills, administration of decedent estates, guardianships of minors and incapacitated persons, and trust proceedings. The Surrogate's Court is located in the Clinton County Courthouse.
Juvenile
Juvenile delinquency cases and PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision) proceedings are heard in Family Court. Juvenile records are confidential under New York law and are not available to the general public. The Clinton County Probation Department provides juvenile services and can be reached at 34 Court Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.
How Cases Move Through the Clinton County Court System
- Filing/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 surrogate matters are initiated by petition.
- Assignment to Judge: Cases are assigned to a judge through the court's administrative system. In County and Supreme Court, the Individual Assignment System (IAS) assigns each case to a single judge who handles it from start to finish.
- Initial Hearing: Criminal defendants are arraigned and advised of charges; bail or release conditions are set. Civil cases receive a preliminary conference or scheduling order.
- Pre-Trial Phase: This includes discovery, motion practice, plea negotiations in criminal cases, and settlement discussions in civil cases.
- Trial or Resolution: Cases may be resolved by plea agreement, bench or jury trial, settlement, default judgment, or dismissal.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases proceed to sentencing if there is a conviction. Civil judgments may be enforced or appealed. Appeals from local courts go to County Court; appeals from County and Supreme Court go to the Appellate Division, Third Department.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Clinton County
Courts in Clinton County are administered under the New York State Unified Court System. The Administrative Judge for the Fourth Judicial District oversees day-to-day operations, with a Chief Clerk managing each court's staff and procedures locally.
- Local rules: The Fourth Judicial District's local rules and individual judges' part rules are available through the New York State Courts website (nycourts.gov). These rules govern filing procedures, motion practice, and courtroom protocols specific to Clinton County.
- Public access to records: Under New York Judiciary Law § 255 and court administrative rules, most court records are presumptively public. Exceptions include sealed records, juvenile proceedings, matrimonial financial disclosure documents, and records sealed by court order. You can request records through the Clinton County Clerk's Office on the first floor of the courthouse in Plattsburgh.
- Attending hearings: Court proceedings are generally open to the public. Some hearings may be conducted by video or telephone — contact the specific court to ask about remote appearance options.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Clinton County
- Court case search: The New York State Unified Court System offers the WebCivil Supreme portal for searching Supreme Court civil cases and the eCourts portal for case information. For criminal case information, contact the County Clerk's Office directly.
- Court calendars: Daily court calendars for Clinton County courts are available through the New York State Courts eCourts system or by calling the individual court.
- Court forms and self-help: The New York State Courts website provides a comprehensive library of court forms, instructions, and self-help resources for unrepresented litigants at nycourts.gov/forms.
- Clerk of Court and public records: The Clinton County Clerk's Office handles court filings, certified copies, and real estate records. Requests can be made in person or by mail. Fees apply for certified copies.
- Real property records: The Clinton County Real Property Office provides assessment information and property data. The County Treasurer's Office handles real property tax collection.
- Inmate lookup: The Clinton County Sheriff's Corrections Division provides an inmate lookup tool for individuals held at the Clinton County Jail. For state prison inmates, use the New York DOCCS Incarcerated Lookup.
- Sex offender registry: Search the New York State Sex Offender Registry for registered offenders by name, county, or ZIP code. Offenders are classified as Level 1, 2, or 3 based on risk of reoffense.
- Sheriff's Office: The Clinton County Sheriff's Office publishes press releases related to arrests and incidents. For general inquiries, contact the Sheriff's Office at (518) 565-4300.
- Alternatives to incarceration: Clinton County offers alternatives to incarceration programs through the Probation Department, including pretrial release and community service options.
- Additional resources: ClintonCourt.us provides additional information to help locate publicly available Clinton County court records and related data.