Courts

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Genesee County Court Facility

Address: 1 West Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020

Find court forms and information on the New York State Unified Court System website.

New York State Unified Court System Mission

The New York State Unified Court System promotes the rule of law and serves the public by providing fair and timely resolution of matters before the courts.

The court system:

  • Resolves civil claims, family disputes, criminal charges, juvenile delinquency matters and disputes involving government actions.
  • Oversees estates, adoption petitions, marriage dissolutions and related legal proceedings.
  • Provides legal protection for children, people with mental illnesses and others entitled to special protection under the law.
  • Regulates the admission and professional conduct of attorneys.

Court System Goals

  • Treat every person with fairness and courtesy.
  • Administer the courts in a way that promotes respect for the law and confidence in the judicial process.
  • Resolve cases promptly and with finality.
  • Manage cases efficiently and cost-effectively.
  • Promote public understanding of and access to the courts.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has broad authority over civil and criminal cases. It generally handles civil claims seeking more than $25,000 and cases in which a party asks the court to stop another party from taking a specific action.

The Supreme Court is the only court authorized to handle separation, annulment and divorce matters. It may also hear felony criminal cases, although these cases are generally heard in County Court outside New York City.

Phone: (585) 201-5728

Fax: (585) 344-8517

County Court

County Court handles criminal cases involving crimes committed within Genesee County. It has exclusive authority over felony trials and shares authority with city, town and village courts for misdemeanor cases, minor offenses and violations.

County Court may also hear certain civil cases involving monetary awards of $25,000 or less.

Phone: (585) 201-5731

Fax: (585) 344-8517

City Court

City Court hears criminal and civil matters within the City of Batavia. Criminal cases may include misdemeanors, City Code violations, minor offenses, Vehicle and Traffic Law misdemeanors, felony arraignments and preliminary felony proceedings.

City Court also hears civil claims seeking up to $15,000, small claims cases involving up to $3,000, disputed parking tickets and landlord-tenant matters.

Phone: (585) 201-5764

Fax: (585) 344-8556

Family Court

Family Court handles many legal matters involving children and families, including:

  • Child custody and visitation
  • Child, spousal and former-spouse support
  • Adoption and paternity
  • Child abuse and neglect
  • Family violence
  • Children accused of committing crimes
  • Children in need of supervision

Family Court does not handle separation, annulment or divorce. These matters must be filed in Supreme Court.

Phone: (585) 201-5717

Fax: (585) 371-3956

Find Family Court forms on the New York State Unified Court System website.

Surrogate's Court

Surrogate's Court handles matters involving wills, estates and the property of deceased people. It also handles guardianship matters involving children under age 18 and adults who are mentally disabled or incapacitated.

Phone: (585) 201-5733

Fax: (585) 344-8517

Surrogate's Court accepts credit cards. Complete the credit card authorization application (PDF)(PDF, 8KB).

Commissioner of Jurors

The Commissioner of Jurors supplies trial courts with prospective jurors and provides information about jury service. Contact the office to ask about jury service or volunteering as a juror.

Genesee County Commissioner of Jurors: (585) 201-5719

Statewide jury information: 1-800-695-8767

Public Law Library

The Genesee County Court Facility provides a public law library at 1 West Main Street in Batavia.

Public hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Staffed hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The law library is not a lending library. Books must remain in the library.

Phone: (585) 344-2550, extension 2224

Children's Center

The Children's Center provides child care for litigants' children while their parents or guardians conduct court business.

Phone: (585) 344-2550, extension 2439

Related Information

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