City Court is a "Local Criminal
Court" and has trial jurisdiction
over all misdemeanors and violations occurring within Syracuse.
These are not only violations of the Penal Law, but also include
vehicle and traffic matters, dog control cases, Agriculture and
Markets Law violations and ordinances such as the City Noise Ordinance.
This Court has jurisdiction over felony matters as well for the
purpose of arraignment, the assignment of counsel, the setting
of bail in most cases and the holding of preliminary hearings.
City Court is divided into 8 Parts, each of which is presided over
by a judge. The judges rotate their duties in these Parts on a monthly
basis. The Parts and their duties are as follows:
Part 1 – Civil Trials & Preliminary Hearings
Conducts Preliminary Examinations in felony matters, accepts pleas
and imposes sentence or conducts trials in remaining criminal cases
and conducts civil trials.
Part 2 – Criminal Trials & Felony Reduction Calendar
Conducts pretrial conferences and presides over the Felony Reduction
Calendar and the Felony Dismissal Calendar.
Part 3 – Traffic Court
Preside over the Traffic Court and handle all Vehicle and Traffic Law violations
including D.W.I. cases, parking tickets and complaints concerning parking tickets,
trials for Animal Control violations, impose fines and other sentences.
Part 4 – Criminal Arraignments
Arraign defendants, set bail or release defendants to the Pre-Trial Release Program
of the Probation Department or on their own recognizance, schedule Preliminary
Hearings and mental examinations.
Parts 5, 6 & 7 – Criminal Trials & Pretrials
Pretrial conferences with prosecution and defense attorneys, hears
and determines all motions concerning that judge’s cases,
holds hearings on evidentiary matters, conducts trials, accepts
pleas and imposes sentences.
Part 8 - Felony Reduction Calendar, Felony Day
Canlendar & Felony Dismissal Calendar
JRM - Presides over the above calendars at 10:00am Monday - Thursday.
The Traffic Part of City Court is in session each business morning
beginning at 9:30am and on Wednesdays at 4:30pm. This part of City
Court is also responsible for Animal Control Law violations that
are brought before it on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Although
the District Attorney’s Office bears the responsibility of
all prosecutorial decisions in the Court, an assistant district
attorney (A.D.A.) is present in Court only for trials or special
matters requiring the physical presence of a member of this office.
The duties of the A.D.A. handling this Court at any time generally
consists of providing a forum in which members of the public
who have been accused of traffic infractions may explain, by
letter, any extenuating circumstances such as the existence of
an emergency situation which might require prosecutorial discretion
to prevent an injustice from occurring and the encouragement
of participation in driver improvement programs, in addition
to other efforts, to educate the public concerning traffic safety.
It is the policy of the District Attorney’s Office to conference
all criminal actions including traffic matters with lawyers,
but you may choose to act on your own behalf.
If you do not wish to hire an attorney and do not want to proceed
to trial, you have two options.
One is to plead guilty to the charge against you and you
are free to offer any explanation you feel is important that the
judge may consider in imposing a fair sentence.
Two is to write a letter to this office with a request
to review and amend your traffic violation. Do not contact this
office by phone. All traffic violations will be handled through
the mail.
If you choose to mail a letter requesting an amendment of your
traffic charges, you must include the following items and please
remember if you do not include copies of all of the following, your
letter will not be returned and your request will not be considered:
• A copy of the front of your traffic ticket(s). Do
not send original(s)! If you do not have your ticket, you then
must contact the Court and request a copy.
• A copy of your Driving Abstract (history). Do not send original!
If you do not have your Abstract, you may obtain one from
any New York State Department of Motor Vehicles office. Out-of-state
drivers should send us a copy of their valid out-of-state driver’s
license
• Was there an accident? If your traffic violation
involves an accident or damages to a person, animal and/or property,
we will not consider any reduced charge without proof that the
other party’s
damage has been resolved. Ask your insurance agent for a letter
stating all damages have been resolved.
• A self-addressed, stamped return envelope.
• Remember, you must include all requested information with
your letter. If you do not include all of this information,
your application will not be processed.
• Keep a copy of all correspondence for your records.
• All of the above items should be mailed to:
Traffic Bureau (Municipal Courts Bureau)
Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office
505 S. State Street, 4th Floor
Syracuse, New York 13202
After reviewing your application, you will receive notification
in writing as to whether we can recommend an amendment of
your violation and, if so, what steps you must follow to
take advantage of our offer. Please keep in mind that the
Court is the final arbiter of your case. If the Court accepts
our proposal, the Court will then advise you of your fine
and/or points on your license.
Writing to the District Attorney’s Office does not relieve
your obligation to keep in touch with the Court. You must
notify the Court that you are writing to the District Attorney’s
Office and request that your case be adjourned for 30 days. Your
failure to make Court appearances or communicate with the Court
may result in a suspension of your driving privileges. |
