St. Lawrence County court records, New York, are maintained at the County Clerk's office and are accessible through official government portals and directly at the office. StLawrenceCourt.us will help you find publicly available information about the county's court cases. Additional access points include the County Clerk's court records page, the New York state electronic search system, and in-person inquiries at the Canton office.
St. Lawrence Court System Overview
St. Lawrence County is part of the Fourth Judicial District of New York. The county's court system includes the Supreme Court, County Court, Surrogate's Court, Family Court, as well as numerous Town and Village Courts. The Supreme Court and County Court handle the most serious civil and criminal cases, respectively, while local courts (Town/Village Justice Courts) handle less serious offenses. The administrative judge of the Fourth Judicial District coordinates the work of courts in several counties, including St. Lawrence, Hamilton, Warren, Essex, and others.
Courts Serving St. Lawrence
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| St. Lawrence County Supreme Court | 48 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617 | 315-379-2237 |
| St. Lawrence County Court | 48 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617 | 315-379-2237 |
| St. Lawrence County Surrogate's Court | 48 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617 | 315-379-2217 |
| St. Lawrence County Family Court | 48 Court Street, Canton, NY 13617 | 315-379-2410 |
| Town and Village Justice Courts | Located in each town and village of the county | Depends on jurisdiction |
| U.S. District Court — Northern District of New York | James T. Foley U.S. Courthouse, 445 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207 | 518-257-1800 |
The Federal District Court for the Northern District of New York serves St. Lawrence County. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York in Syracuse.
What Types of Cases St. Lawrence Courts Hear
The county courts hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Felonies — County Court
- Misdemeanors and violations — Town/Village Justice Courts
- Civil claims with no monetary limit — Supreme Court
- Small claims up to $5,000 — Town/Village Courts
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support — Supreme Court and Family Court
- Probate, guardianship — Surrogate's Court
- Juvenile cases — Family Court
- Traffic violations — Town/Village Justice Courts
District Court Cases in St. Lawrence
In New York State, there are no district courts at the county level in the traditional sense. Their functions are performed by the Supreme Court and County Court. The County Court handles criminal cases for felonies after an indictment by a grand jury. The Supreme Court has unlimited jurisdiction in civil cases, from complex commercial disputes to claims for significant sums. Cases are allocated among judges according to the administrative rules of the Fourth Judicial District. Appeals from the County Court and Supreme Court are filed with the Appellate Division, Third Department.
Magistrate Court Cases in St. Lawrence
Town and Village Justice Courts in the county perform a role similar to magistrate courts. They handle:
- Misdemeanors and violations
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Civil claims up to $3,000 (in some courts)
- Small claims up to $5,000
- Traffic violations, including DWI cases at the arraignment stage
These courts operate in dozens of localities throughout the county. The specific schedule of sessions and jurisdictional boundaries depend on each individual court. If a case requires a felony hearing, the magistrate conducts a preliminary hearing and transfers the case to the County Court.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in St. Lawrence
Family Law. Divorces are processed through the Supreme Court. Family Court handles cases of child custody, child support, orders of protection, paternity establishment, and termination of parental rights. Both courts are located at 48 Court Street in Canton.
Probate Matters. Surrogate's Court handles inheritance, wills, appointment of guardians, and trust management. Applications are submitted directly to the Surrogate's Court at the same address.
Juvenile Matters. Family Court handles juvenile delinquency cases and child protective proceedings. Juvenile case records are confidential under New York State law.
How Cases Move Through the St. Lawrence Court System
- Case Initiation. A criminal case starts with an arrest or indictment; a civil case begins with the filing of a complaint; a family case starts with a petition.
- Judge Assignment. The case is assigned to a specific judge according to the court's internal rules.
- First Hearing. In criminal cases — arraignment. In civil cases — a preliminary conference to set the schedule.
- Pre-trial Phase. Motions, discovery, plea negotiations, or settlement discussions.
- Trial or Resolution. The case concludes with a sentence, jury verdict, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Decision. Sentencing in criminal cases, filing an appeal, or enforcing the court's decision in civil cases.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in St. Lawrence
The county courts are administered under the supervision of the administrative judge of the Fourth Judicial District. Local court rules are published on the New York State Unified Court System website (nycourts.gov). The County Clerk's office is responsible for maintaining and issuing court records for the Supreme Court and County Court.
Regarding public access: most court records in New York are publicly accessible, except for sealed cases, juvenile cases, and certain family cases. Requests for public records can be submitted under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) through the Open FOIL NY portal.
Hearings are typically held in person at the courthouse. For information on remote participation options, contact the relevant court office directly.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in St. Lawrence
- Searching Court Records. The Court Records page of the County Clerk's office allows you to request searches for criminal or civil records. As of June 2024, a special form is required for requests. Fees are set by New York State — current rates are listed on the fees page.
- Criminal History Check. The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains the official state criminal record registry. For employment-related checks, use the Criminal Background Check through the Justice Center.
- Arrest Warrants. The county sheriff publishes a wanted persons list. The New York State Police also maintain a wanted and missing database.
- Inmate Lookup. For individuals in state correctional facilities, use the Incarcerated Lookup of the Department of Corrections. Information on inmates in the local county correctional facility can be obtained by calling (315) 379-2367.
- Property Records. Real estate transactions — deeds, mortgages, and other documents — are recorded through the Real Property Transactions division of the County Clerk. Electronic document submission (e-Recording) is also available.
- Tax Records and Maps. The Real Property Department provides access to tax rolls and tax maps.
- Crime Statistics and Offender Registry. DCJS publishes crime statistics and provides access to the state's sex offender registry.
- Sheriff's Office. The St. Lawrence County Sheriff provides law enforcement services, including a civil division for serving court documents and a criminal division for investigations.