Monroe County covers an estimated 3,542 square kilometers and has a population of over 759,000 residents. The county is located in the western part of New York state and has its county seat in Rochester. Established in 1821, Monroe County is home to the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Courts in Monroe County
The court system in Monroe County comprises a Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate Court, City Courts, and Town Courts. The Monroe County Supreme Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases and handles cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. The County Court presides over civil and criminal cases outside the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, such as felonies and general civil claims for less than $25,000.
The Monroe County Family Court deals with matters related to family and domestic relations, such as child custody and visitations, child and spousal support, child neglect, and child abuse. The Surrogate Court in Monroe County is responsible for matters involving estate, wills, and the administration of a deceased estate. The City Courts have jurisdiction over civil cases for personal property liens and foreclosures on property valued at less than $15,000 and over criminal misdemeanor cases. The Town Courts in Monroe County are the lowest-level courts in the county and handle minor civil and family matters involving traffic and local ordinance violations.
Where to Find Public Court Records in Monroe County
Public court records refer to all documents from the courts that are open to the public to inspect and copy. The Court Clerk’s Office is the record custodian for public court records and provides an online database, CountyFusion, to access Monroe County public court records. Additionally, the Office permits requesters to view and obtain public court records at the public terminals located at the courthouses. The Clerk’s Office also encourages mail requests for public court records.
Types of Public Court Records in Monroe County
The following types of public court records are open to the public for viewing and copying in Monroe County:
- Civil Court Records: Personal injury claims, small claims, breach of contract cases, landlord/tenant conflicts, and property disputes
- Criminal Court Records: Felonies and misdemeanors such as homicide and disorderly conduct, arrest records, and warrants
- Traffic Records: Traffic violations, DUI cases, and traffic citations
- Surrogate Court Records: Administration of deceased estate, wills, trust, and name change
- Family Court Records: Divorce records, child custody records, and child and spousal support disputes
Confidential Court Records in Monroe County
Confidential court records are documents from court proceedings that are required by law to be closed to inspection by the public. The records are restricted from public view to protect the privacy and safety of the individuals named in the court document. Only persons authorized by the courts with a court order may access confidential court records. The following are confidential court records in Monroe County:
- Juvenile court records
- Trade secrets
- Intellectual property records
- Expunged court records
- Confidential informants details
Some information contained in public court records is not publicly available. They are private and may not be disclosed to members of the public. Usually, the courts conceal or remove confidential information on the court document before disclosure. Confidential information redacted from public court records includes:
- Medical records
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Address, phone number, and email address
- Driver’s license number
Juvenile Delinquency in Monroe, NY
Unfortunately, in many areas of the Monroe County, juvenile delinquency crimes are on the rise. There are many reasons for the increase in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in New York often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of offenses, and other family matters.
In 2017, a total of 564 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Monroe County. Of that total, 64% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 359 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.
A lot of counties, including, Monroe County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Monroe County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.
Juvenile Cases | Number of cases |
---|---|
Delinquency | 16,493 |
Dependency | 7,794 |
Status | 9,506 |
Government of Monroe County, NY
County Seat: | Rochester |
Government Type: | County |
Authority: | Home Rule |
Year Organized: | 1821 |
Total Square Miles: | 1,367 |
2019 Population: | 747,642 |
Persons/Square Mile: | 0.00 |
County Contact: | 39 W Main St
County Office Building Rochester , NY 14614-1408 http://www.monroecounty.gov |