The trial courts, the intermediate appellate courts, and the highest court are the three tiers of courts in New York State. The subordinate courts, which include the County Court, Family Court, Surrogate’s Court, and City Court, and the Supreme Court, which is the court of wide jurisdiction, are further separated into these two groups.
The highest court is the Court of Appeals, which is responsible for hearing appeals from the intermediate appellate courts and deciding legal issues of statewide significance. The intermediate appellate courts are divided into four departments: the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Departments. Each department is responsible for hearing appeals from the trial courts within its jurisdiction.
The local courts, state courts, and federal courts make up the three main types of judicial systems in New York State. The New York City courts, district courts, and town and village courts are examples of local courts. The Supreme Court, the Appellate Division, and the Court of Appeals are examples of state courts. District courts, circuit courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court of the United States are all federal courts.
In summary, the Third Judicial Department is in charge of enforcing the law in Albany and a number of neighboring counties. While Bronx County is a component of the First Judicial Department, Kings County belongs to the Second Judicial Department. The three tiers of courts and three main kinds of court systems that make up New York State’s judicial system each have their own unique jurisdictions and responsibilities.
In the Third Judicial Department of New York State, the majority of criminal cases begin in Albany.