The courts of the state have been divided into four judicial departments and twelve judicial districts.

The First Department consists of the counties within the First and Twelfth Judicial District; the Second Department consists of the counties within the Second, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Judicial Districts; the Third Department consists of the counties within the Third, Fourth and Sixth Judicial Districts; and the Fourth Department consists of the counties within the Fifth, Seventh and Eighth Judicial Districts.

The jurisdiction of each court is established either by Article VI of the New York State Constitution or by statute.  The courts of original jurisdiction, or trial courts, hear cases in the first instance, and the appellate courts hear and determine appeals from the decision of the trial courts.

The Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York State, hears cases on appeal from other appellate courts and, in some instances, from the courts of original jurisdiction. In most cases, its review is limited to questions of law.

There are four Appellate Divisions of the Supreme Court, one in each of the state's four judicial departments. The Appellate Divisions hear appeals from the trial courts concerning civil and criminal cases.

The Court of Claims is a statewide court having jurisdiction over claims for monetary damages against the State.

The Supreme Court generally hears only cases that are outisde the jurisdiction of other trial courts of more limited jurisdiction.  It exercises its civil jurisdiction statewide. In New York City and some other parts of the state, it also exercises jurisdiction over felony charges.

Although the County Court is primarily a trial court, in the Third and Fourth Departments it also has appellate jurisdiction over cases originating in City, Town and Village Courts. Appeals from the County Courts are generally heard in the Appellate Division.

Family Court
The Family Court is established in each county and in the City of New York. It has jurisdiction over matters involving children and families. Its caseload consists largely of proceedings involving support of dependent relatives, custody and visitation, juvenile delinquency, child protection, persons in need of supervision, review and approval of foster care placements, paternity determinations and family offenses.

Surrogate's Court filing fees are set by Law to be collected by the Clerk of the Court on the filing of applications requesting relief (petitions). The minimum filing fee is $35.00 the maximum is $l,000.00.

City Court
City courts outside New York City exist in 61 cities and have criminal jurisdiction over misdemeanors and lesser offenses and civil jurisdiction over claims of up to $15,000. Some City Courts have separate parts to handle small claims or housing matters. City Court judges act as arraigning magistrates and conduct preliminary hearings in felony cases.