Suffolk County 1st District Court, Criminal Term Suffolk District Criminal Frequently Asked Questions

Pursuant to VTL 1198-a, the OASAS website has a state-wide DWI Screening and Assessment Provider Listing.

No. Adjournment requests are not considered by phone.

Generally, yes. Depending on the sentencing judge, you might need to appear in the courtroom to ask the judge for more time to pay.

Anyone can view today's calendared cases and any future calendars on the WebCrims site. Log in as Guest. 

Choose search by “Court Calendar.” 

Sealed cases will not appear on eCourts. 

If you are the defendant (the enjoined party on an Order of Protection), and your case is still pending, and you want to change the conditions of an Order of Protection, consult with your attorney.

If you are a witness or victim (a protected party on an Order of Protection), and the case is still pending, and you want to modify the conditions on an Order of Protection, contact the District Attorney's Office.

If the defendant was convicted, pled guilty, or otherwise has an order of protection and no future court date, and you want to modify the terms of the order of protection, you may submit a written request to the court - appear at window #2 in room D220 in the Cohalan Court Complex during normal business hours. Based on your written request, the case will be restored to the calendar for a future date, when the judge will decide if the Order of Protection should be modified.

Please see Certificate of Relief from Disabilities from NYCourthelp.gov

If you are submitting the Application to the Suffolk District Court, you may file the application in person (D200 window #2), or mail it to:

Suffolk County District Court
re: Certificate of Relief from Disabilities, D220
400 Carleton Ave
Central Islip NY 11722

Please submit a self-addressed envelope with your application.

You can post bail at the jail.

You can also post bail at the courthouse right after the judge sets the bail amount. If the person in custody has already left the courthouse or is already at the jail, you will need to post bail at the jail.

You can search for approved bail bond agents using the NY State Department of Financial Services Bail Bond Agent Search.

If the judge allows it, you may use a credit card to post bail. Please note that the credit card company charges a 2.99% processing fee.

The Sheriff’s Office may be able to help use money that was with the person at the time of arrest to post bail.

You can ask the court to cancel (vacate) your warrant by filling out an Application to Vacate District Court Warrant (DC-320-A). Get the form and return it at the Clerk’s Office public information window #2 during normal business hours.

After you turn it in, your case will be scheduled to be heard. Check the criminal case calendar screen in the 2nd-floor lobby. When your name appears, go to the courtroom listed so a judge can review your request and decide what to do.

If your warrant is from a different court (like a town or village court, County Court, or a town ordinance case in another District Court), you must go to that specific courthouse and ask a judge there to cancel your warrant.

Attorneys may request their incarcerated client is produced in court "paperwork only" (the defendant will not be transported to the courthouse for the court appearance) by faxing the DC-423 form: Notice of appearance and waiver of production to 631-853-7599.

You or your lawyer must file a Notice of Appeal within 30 days after your sentence. Send one copy to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Appeals Bureau, 200 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901. File two copies with the Appeals Clerk at Suffolk County District Court, 400 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip, NY 11722.

If you did not have a lawyer, you can write to the Court Clerk to say you want to appeal. If you do this on time, the Clerk will prepare, serve, and file the Notice of Appeal for you.

If you cannot afford a lawyer or the cost of an appeal, you can ask the Appellate Term of the Supreme Court for a lawyer and to waive some costs.

You can get written instructions from the Appellate Term Clerk's Office. You must complete your appeal within 120 days after your sentence.

You may need a Certificate of Disposition or a certified transcript. You can get one from the court in person. Bring:

• Criminal Certificate of Disposition Request (UCS-CODR) form
• photo ID
• $5
• Any details about your case (like case number, charges, or dates)

You can also ask by mail. Mail to the Clerk’s Office:

• Criminal Certificate of Disposition Request (UCS-CODR) form
• A money order payable to “Clerk of the Court” ($5.00 for each certificate)
• A stamped, self-addressed envelope
• A copy of your photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport)

If you had a court-appointed lawyer (like Legal Aid) or get public benefits, you may not have to pay. Write that you think you are fee-exempt on the form, and include proof if you have it.

The court does not accept personal checks.

An Order of Protection is a court order that tells someone to stay away from you or not do certain things.

If you are a victim or a witness, contact the District Attorney's Office.

In District Court, a case must be filed before a judge can issue an Order of Protection. This usually means the person was arrested or given a ticket to come to court. You can ask for an Order of Protection at the first court date (called an arraignment). Tell the District Attorney before the arraignment that you want one.

If the person was given a ticket instead of being arrested, get a copy of the police report and complaint from the police. Tell the police you want an Order of Protection. The police must file the case with the court before the judge can issue the order.

If the person was not arrested or charged, call the police to make a report.

 If you are related to or live with the person, you might be a victim of Domestic Violence.

Domestic Violence Order of Protection Basics from CourtHelp

When a case ends (for example, it is dismissed or the person is sentenced), bail may be returned if the defendant attended all required court dates. The money is returned to the person who paid it, but a 3% fee is usually taken out. This usually takes about 8 weeks. The refund comes from the Suffolk County Treasurer.

If the defendant missed a court date and a warrant was issued, the bail is lost. In some cases, the court may still return the money, but only if it approves a request called a CPL§540.30 motion.

Pay online with a credit card. You will need your docket number, name, and date of birth.

Pay by mail using a money order or certified/teller’s check made out to the Clerk of the District Court. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope so your receipt can be sent back to you. Do not mail cash.

Pay in person at the Clerk’s Office in the courthouse. You may use cash, money order, certified/teller’s check, debit card, or credit card. You must show a photo ID. Debit and credit card payments also require a signed card.

If you use a credit or debit card, a 2.99% fee will be added. This fee applies to both online and in-person payments and is charged by the card company. The court cannot refund it.

If your payment is not accepted by the bank, you will be charged an extra $20 fee, and the court may enter a default judgment against you.

Partial payments are only allowed if the judge approves them. If approved, you must pay in person.

Contact the Assigned Counsel Defender Plan of Suffolk County SCACP. 

• Call the SCACP office at (631) 439-0539 to speak to a financial screener.
• Schedule an appointment by calling (631) 439-0539.
• Email or fax the completed application from the Suffolk18B – Assigned Counsel Defender Plan – Suffolk County NY website to [email protected] or fax to (631) 761-6517.
• APPLY IN PERSON at the Cohalan Court Complex, District Court, 4th Floor, Room 421, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sign in on the clipboard, request an application form, and fill it out while you wait. Applicants coming from courtrooms for a same-day appearance have priority—indicate this on the sign-in sheet.

Be prepared with:

• Court paperwork which should contain your case number and the date of your next court appearance.
• Identification (Driver’s License, DMV ID, Medicaid Card)
• Verification of employment (current pay stub, unemployment)
• Proof of public assistance (food stamps, medical benefits, SSI information, VA Benefits)
• Proof of expenses (medical and dental payments, rent or mortgage, utilities, vehicle payments)

You must go to every court date unless the judge says you do not have to. If you do not show up, the judge may issue a warrant for your arrest.

If there is an emergency and you cannot go to court, tell your lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, write to the judge explaining why you cannot come. Send a copy of the letter to the District Attorney's Office. The judge may accept your reason, move your court date to another day, and not issue a warrant.

You will be told about court dates by mail, email, text, or phone call.

Use our automated telephone answering system: 631-208-5775
Court personnel will answer questions during normal business hours.

The resources available in your community for information relating to domestic violence, treatment of injuries, and places of safety and shelters can be accessed by calling the following toll-free numbers for the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-942-6906 (en Español: 1-800-942-6908).

More information about the rights of a victim of Domestic Violence.

Contact your attorney, and/or report to Court the next business day.

Generally, if you do not pay the fine or fee, the Court (on behalf of the People of the State of New York) enters a judgment against you in the County Clerk's office and suspends your drivers license.

The court may also issue a warrant for your arrest.

If you do not pay a fine imposed by the court, within the time ordered, you may be imprisoned.

If you are unable to pay a fine, you may ask the court, to be resentenced.

The Court may not waive certain surcharges or fees. You may tell the court that payment of the surcharges or fees will be an unreasonable hardship on you or your immediate family, and the court may defer payment and enter a civil judgment.

You may be imprisoned for up to fifteen days for your failure to pay certain surcharges and fees.

If you do not pay what you owe, or if you do not appear in court to request more time to pay, a civil judgment against you will be entered and docketed with the Suffolk County Clerk (or the Clerk of the County in which you reside), and your drivers license may be suspended, and a warrant may be issued for your arrest.

Arraignments for defendants who are in custody (arrested and held by police) happen every day of the year in Courtroom D-11 at 9:30 AM.

Arraignments for people who received an Appearance Ticket happen on regular court days in “Street Arraignment” (SAP) courtrooms.

Violations of Town Ordinances or Town Codes are arraigned on certain days of the week in the outlying courthouses.

The public windows (located on the 2nd floor of the Cohalan Court Complex) open for business Monday - Friday at 8:30 a.m. All business must be commenced by 4:30 p.m.

Your next court date is written on a blue “Notice to Appear” form you received at your last court date.

If you know the defendant’s name or the docket number, you can look up the case using WebCrims. This system does not show warrants, finished cases, or sealed cases, 

To search by name, you need at least:

• The first 3 letters of the last name
• The first 2 letters of the first name

If you search by “calendar,” choose “Criminal Court” for the court field. Use the courtroom number (like D31 or D44), not the judge’s name.

If you search by case number use the full docket number (CR-######-YYSU)

If you think your case is still open but you cannot find the next court date online, call the court at 631-208-5800 during normal business hours.