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Presiding Justices:
Hon. Thorold J. Smith
Hon. Clyde R. Gruver, Jr.
Mailing address:
Town of Chenango Justice Court
1529 State Route 12
Binghamton, NY 13901
Email: justicecourt@townofchenango.com
Telephone: 607-648-4809 Option 1
Fax: 607-648-8603
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When are the Court Sessions held?
Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 4:00pm. Several days a month are set aside for scheduled pre trials (misdemeanors) and non jury trials (violations).
What are your office hours:
Monday - Thursday 9:00AM - 4:15PM
Friday 9:00AM - 3:15PM
How do I file a small claim and how much is the filing fee?
Small Claims can be filed with the Court Clerk. The party you are filing against must live, work or have a place of business in the Town of Chenango. They must receive their mail in the Town of Chenango. You must have the exact mailing address. Post office boxes are not acceptable. The allowable maximum amount to claim is $3000.00. For claims up to $1000.00, the filing fee is $10.00. For claims over $1000.00 the filing fee is $15.00. You must call ahead to make an appointment to file the paperwork. For more information you may pick up a booklet on small claims at the court office, or you may view the booklet online by clicking on the link below.
Is there an alternative to filing a Small Claim?
Yes. You can contact ACCORD (A Center for Dispute Resolution, Inc.). This is a mediator service which is free. In Broome County you can call 607-724-5153. Email at accord@stny.rr.com In Tioga County call 607-687-8222. Email at tcaccord@pronetisp.net.
You may also view the New York State Guide to Small Claims Court by clicking on the link below:
http://tenant.net/Court/Howcourt/sclaim.html
When are evictions heard and how much is the filing fee?
Evictions are heard Tuesdays at 3:30PM and Wednesdays at 3:30PM. The filing fee is $20.00
Contact the court clerk to select a court date.
Eviction Instructions (PDF)
Additional Resources:
http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/8jd/pdfs/L&T/nonpay/NonPaymentManual.pdf
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/8jd/pdfs/L&T/holdover/HoldoverFormsPacket.pdf
http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/8jd/pdfs/L&T/nonpay/NonPaymentManual.pdf
How do I answer my traffic ticket?
You may have received a hand written ticket or a computer-generated ticket. It is the obligation of the receiving motorist to respond to the ticket. If the charge(s) are NOT MISDEMEANORS you can either appear on the date listed on the bottom of the ticket or you may sign the back of the hand written ticket or the right side of the computer-generated ticket to indicate your plea of either guilty or not guilty. You then mail it to the court
Chenango Justice Court, 1529 NY RT 12, Binghamton, NY 13901
NOTE: Review all the information on your ticket(s). To plead guilty, complete Secion A of your ticket. To plead not guilty, complete Section B of your ticket.
Upon a plea of guilty, the judge will impose a sentence which could consist of a fine. Also imposed would be the NY State mandated surcharge. You will be notified by mail of the amount due and the process to make the payment.
Upon a plea of not guilty, you will be scheduled for a pre trial conference with the prosecutor to negotiate an agreement to plead guilty to a legally authorized alternate offense. Any proposed agreement is subject to approval by the court. Once your plea of not guilty is received and accepted by the court, you will receive the notice scheduling this conference and will also explain the process.
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor, you must appear in person on the date and time listed on the ticket. Or if you are being charged with a third or subsequent speed in an 18 month period, you must appear in court.
Why isn't the fine listed on my ticket?
Because the judge will assess the penalty. Once a plea of guilty has been entered, the judge determines the sentence and in most cases assesses the fine on each ticket filed in this court. Once assessed, a Notice of Fine will be mailed to you with the amount due and the instructions for payment.
How do I enter into a plea bargain regarding the ticket I received?
Before any plea bargains are accepted, you must first submit your plea of NOT GUILTY to the Court by signing "Part B" of the ticket you were issued and with which you are interested in plea bargaining and mail or drop it off at the court office. (address listed above) (directions on home page of this website)
What is a supporting deposition?
A supporting deposition is a more detailed account of the ticket you were issued. If you received an electronically generated ticket, you may have been handed the supporting deposition at the same time you were handed your ticket from the officer. Some officers leave the supporting deposition attached to the ticket, some separate them.
How many points are assessed?
POINT ASSESSMENT CHART AS ESTABLISHED BY NYSDMC
Speeding over the posted limit
1 - 10 mph = 3 points
11 - 20 = 4 "
21 - 30 = 6 "
31 - 40 = 8 "
Greater than 40 = 11 "
Speed not reasonable/too fast for conditions = 3 "
Following too Close = 4 "
Pass Red Light/Stop Sign = 3 "
Unsafe Lane Change = 3 "
Failure to Yield = 3 "
Improper Passing = 3 "
Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device = 2 "
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For clarity, go to www.nysdmc.com
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How would a conviction or points effect my NYS license?
Contact NYS DMV at your local office or go to www.nysdmv.com
What is the telephone number for New York State DMV?
1-518-474-0774
What about the effect of a conviction or points on my out-of-state license?
To find out any information regarding your license status or the effect of a conviction, contact or visit your licensing state Department of Motor Vehicles.
My license is suspended or is going to be scofflaw suspended. What do I do?
Depending on the reason for your suspension; you must either pay the fine/surcharge due or appear in court. If your license is suspended, and the effective date is July 5, 2009 or before, you will be required to pay a Suspension Termination Fee of $35.00 per suspension. Suspensions that go into effect on or after July 6, 2009, suspended driver's must pay $70.00. The Notice of Suspension from NYS DMV will give further information regarding this fee, or you can go to their website www.nysdmv.com Submit your identified payment as outlined in the "How Do I make my fine payment" question on this page along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send the Notice of License Suspension Order for endorsement and verification of the suspension date. Call the court clerk if you do not know the total amount due or for information on scheduling a new court date.
I paid my fine to the court, why did I get another notice to pay an additional $300.00 or more?
That notice came from NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and is separate from any fines or surcharges paid to the court. The fee is called Driver's Responsiblity Act (DRA). Go to www.nysdmv for any questions pertaining to that fee.
What is the Driver's Responsibilty Act (DRA) and do I have to pay that fee? Even if I am not a NYS driver?
Go to NYS Department of Motor Vehicles website www.nysdmv.com for a clearer explaination of that fee. Or call 518-402-2851.
Yes, you must pay that according the instructions you received or outlined on that site. It is a separate fee imposed by NYSDMV and is apart from the fine/surcharge you must pay to the court. Yes, even if you are not a NYS licensed driver, you will have to pay that fee.
How do I make my fine payment to the court?
US Currency, Money Order payable to CHENANGO JUSTICE COURT or cash (if in person). Visa or MasterCard is accepted with proper paperwork provided by the court clerk or by clicking the Generic Credit Card Authorization link below. When submitting your Money Order or Certified Check for payment, be sure to include a case number, ticket number, or name with date of birth to ascertain proper posting. No on-line or credit card payments over the phone accepted.
Send to the address listed on the top of this page. If you want your receipt, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment.
What if I misplaced the original fine notice?
If you no longer have your fine notice containing the credit card authorization form you may use the link below to obtain a generic form. Be sure you note your total amount due. If the total amount due is not listed on the submitted authorization, it will not be processed.
If you are suspended or have a pending suspension be sure to call the court clerk to confirm the amount due. You may need to include the Suspension Termination Fee. Payment authorization forms listing improper amounts will not be processed.
Send to the address listed on the top of the authorization. If you want a receipt, send a self-addressed stamped envelope.
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR THE CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZAITON FOR PAYMENT:
Generic Credit Card Authorization
Can I pay with a personal or business check?
No.
Can I pay on-line?
No.
Can I pay by credit card over the telephone?
No.
How do I contact the Broome County District Attorney's Office?
Broome County District Attorney's Office
PO BX 1766, 45 Hawley St., 4th Floor
Binghamton, NY 13902-1766
607-778-2198
Do I need a lawyer to appear in court with me?
Although you are not required to have an attorney you have a right to have representation at every step of the proceedings. It is not recommended that you proceed to trial without the aid of counsel but you certainly have the right to do so.
How do I obtain representation by the Public Defender?
You must call to make an appointment immediately. You will have to financially qualify for representation. Call the Broome County Public Defender's Office at 607-778-2403 for further questions or to make an appointment for a qualifying interview. You are required to notify the court of your scheduled appointment.
What if I missed a court date?
You should contact the court or your attorney immediately. Depending on the matter at hand, non-appearances could normally result in one or more of the following: Arrest Warrant, Bench Warrant, bail forfeiture and/or the suspension of your driver's license/privileges.
I have been drawn as a prospective juror, what do I need to do?
Be sure to read your entire Jury Summons Notice. You are to call the court after 2:00 the day before the scheduled trial. The Court Clerk will advise you whether or not you need to report. If you call after 5:00PM and over the weekend, you will hear a message regarding your reporting status.
A link to the Jury Commissioner's Office is as follows http://www.nyjuror.gov/countyinformation/?broome
Where do I park?
Parking lot is located in the front of the Town Hall.
What can I do if I am a victim of a violent crime?
You can contact:
SOS Shelter Advocacy Office at 1201 Man St. in Endicott, NY (across from U-E High School) 607-748-5174. The 24 hour Crisis Line is 607-754-4340. This hotline is for information and referrals to their shelter and /or other services and support.
Crime Victims Assistance Center Advocate Program at 45 Hawley St., Binghamton, NY 607-778-2423 ask for the Crime Victim Advocate. The 24 hour Crisis Line is 607-722-4256. This hotline is for information and referrals for victims of domestic violence as well as accompaniment to hospitals and law enforcement agencies.
The website is www.cvac.us
For additional information you can review the website for the New York State Crime Victim Board at www.cvb.state.ny.us
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