Court records of Putnam County, New York, are maintained by the County Clerk and accessible through official government portals, the Clerk's office, and online tools. PutnamCourt.us will help you find public information about court records in this county. Additionally, you can use the official site of the Putnam County Clerk, the public access portal, and New York State resources to search for criminal, civil, and property records.
Putnam Court System Overview
Putnam County is part of the 9th Judicial District of New York State, which also includes Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, and Orange counties. Putnam County Court handles felony-level criminal cases, while Surrogate's Court deals with inheritance and guardianship matters. The main courthouse is located in Carmel, the county seat.
Courts typically operate Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on public holidays. It is recommended to call ahead to confirm the hours of a specific court.
Courts Serving Putnam
Residents of the county are served by several courts with different levels of jurisdiction:
| Court | Address / Contacts |
|---|---|
| Putnam County Court (criminal felonies) | 40 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, NY 10512 |
| Putnam County Supreme Court (civil cases, divorces) | 20 County Center, Carmel, NY 10512 |
| Putnam County Surrogate's Court (inheritance, guardianship) | 44 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, NY 10512 |
| Putnam County Family Court | 20 County Center, Carmel, NY 10512 |
| Town and Village Justice Courts (Carmel, Kent, Patterson, Philipstown, Putnam Valley, Southeast) | Addresses and phone numbers depend on the specific town — refer to the official county website |
| U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (federal) | 300 Quarropas Street, White Plains, NY 10601 |
What Types of Cases Putnam Courts Hear
The county courts hear a wide range of cases. Here are the main categories:
- Felonies and misdemeanors (criminal cases)
- Traffic violations, including DUI
- Civil lawsuits of various levels
- Small claims cases
- Family law: divorces, child custody, alimony, protective orders
- Probate cases, guardianship, conservatorship
- Juvenile and child protection cases
- Adoptions
The specific court depends on the type of case and the amount of the claim.
District Court Cases in Putnam
Putnam County Court is where a judge hears criminal felonies after a Grand Jury indictment or waiver. A case comes here after a preliminary hearing in a local Justice Court. The County Court judge also hears appeals from lower courts and post-conviction motions.
Civil cases with large claims — over $25,000 — go to the Supreme Court. A judge is assigned according to the 9th District court calendar. If you are unsure where to file a claim, ask the clerk.
Magistrate Court Cases in Putnam
In New York State, Town and Village Justice Courts serve the role of magistrate courts. These courts in each town of the county handle:
- Misdemeanors and minor offenses
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Civil claims up to $3,000 in small claims (for individuals)
- Traffic violations and DUI arrests
The small claims court in Justice Courts accepts claims up to $3,000 for individuals and up to $5,000 for commercial small claims. To file a claim, you must appear in person at the local Justice Court of your town. Some courts have separate evening sessions for traffic violations.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Putnam
Family Law. Putnam County Family Court handles cases of child custody, alimony, protective orders from domestic violence, paternity establishment, and termination of parental rights. Divorces are filed in the Supreme Court.
Probate Matters. Surrogate's Court manages inheritance cases, wills, guardianship of incapacitated persons, and trusts. To open a probate case, you must contact this court directly with the necessary documents.
Juvenile Matters. Family Court also handles child protection proceedings and juvenile delinquency cases. Records in juvenile cases are confidential under New York State law. Access to them is restricted.
How Cases Move Through the Putnam Court System
- Case Initiation: a criminal complaint, civil lawsuit, or petition is filed with the appropriate court.
- Judge Assignment: the case is assigned according to the judicial district calendar.
- First Hearing: in criminal cases — arraignment, in civil cases — preliminary conference.
- Pre-Trial Phase: motions, discovery, plea negotiations, or settlement discussions.
- Trial: by jury or judge, plea agreement, settlement, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment: sentencing, appeal filing, or enforcement of the court's decision.
Felony criminal cases start in Justice Court and move to County Court after an indictment. Civil cases remain in the court where they were filed unless jurisdiction changes.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Putnam
The courts of the 9th Judicial District are administered under the direction of the district's administrative judge. Local court rules can be found on the New York State Unified Court System website (nycourts.gov).
Regarding public access: most court records in New York are public, except for sealed cases, juvenile cases, and certain family cases. To obtain copies of documents from civil and criminal cases, contact the Putnam County Clerk. Download the request form for record access on the FOIL requests page — this is the Freedom of Information Law mechanism of New York State.
Hearings are generally open to the public. To participate remotely, it is recommended to contact the specific court to find out if videoconferencing is available.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Putnam
- Search for land records and documents: the County Clerk's office maintains maps, court decision registers, liens, and documents from civil and criminal cases.
- Public Access Portal: the Public Access Portal allows searching for property records by tax map number.
- State Criminal Records: the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains the official criminal history database of New York.
- Criminal Background Check: the Justice Center provides tools for checking criminal records.
- Search for inmates in state prisons: use the DOCCS lookup for individuals in New York correctional facilities.
- Search for inmates in local jails: the Commission of Correction helps find individuals in county jails.
- General inmate search: the NY.gov portal provides current information on current and some former inmates.
- Sheriff's Information: the Sheriff's Department of the county handles warrants and law enforcement activities.
- Real Property Taxes: the Real Property Tax Service Agency and online tax payment are available on the county's website.
- Additional Information: PutnamCourt.us is a convenient resource to start searching for public court records in Putnam County.