Court
Phone: 607-561-2308
Fax: 607-561-2307
Village Justices:
Andrew Z. Skrobanski-Justice
Jennifer P. Ruling -Associate Justice
Court Clerks:
Clerk - Brenda Skrobanski
When are the Court Sessions held?
The court is in session on Tuesday's commencing at 9:00 AM. The first Monday, third Tuesday, and fifth Tuesday(when applicable) of every month is set aside for scheduled pre-trials (misdemeanors) and non-jury trials (violations). The second and fourth Tuesday is for Vehicle & Traffic trials. Please see additional information under evictions and small claims proceedings.
What are your office hours?
Monday 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM*
Tuesday 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM*
Wednesday 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM*
*Office hours are often extended. You may leave a telephone message at any time. If no one is in the justice office at the time of your call, you may leave a message and your call will be returned. Messages are checked on a daily basis.
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 Village of Sidney and receive their mail in the Village of Sidney. You must provide the court with an exact mailing address. Post office boxes are not acceptable. The 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. It is recommended that you 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.
You may also view the New York State Guide to Small Claims Court by visiting the website below:
http://tenant.net/Court/Howcourt/sclaim.html
Eviction Proceedings
Evictions are scheduled as needed. Please call the court to confirm a specific date and time. The filing fee is $20.00.
www.nycourts.gov/courthelp//
www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/8jd/pdfs/L&T/holdover/HoldoverFormsPacket.pdf
www.nycourts.gov/courts/8jd/pdfs/L&T/nonpay/NonPaymentManual.pdf
How to Resolve a Traffic Ticket in Village of Sidney Court
Read these instructions in full.
NOT GUILTY PLEA - VEHICLE & TRAFFIC INFRACTION ONLY
If you have a traffic ticket pending in the Village of Sidney Court, you have the following options:
- To retain an attorney. You are entitled to have an attorney represent you on vehicle and traffic violations at your own expense.
- Please be aware that if the traffic ticket you received is for a misdemeanor charge, you are entitled to apply for an attorney to be furnished to you free of charge. Contact the court for an application or you can request one at your court appearance.
- To plead not guilty and request a non-jury trial.
- To waive your right to a trial by pleading guilty to the charge.
- To communicate with the Delaware County District Attorney's Office concerning the disposition of the charge, which proposed disposition will be subject to the approval of the court. Should you choose this option, the Delaware County District Attorney's Office is located at 1 Courthouse Sq # 5, Delhi, NY 13753, or you may access the District Attorney's website at http://www.co.delaware.ny.us/departments.htm and selecting "District Attorney."
Please note: Your license may be suspended if you fail to appear on the appearance date listed on your ticket, or on any other appearance dates set by the court unless the court has received a notice of appearance from your attorney, a written request for an adjournment, a written request for a trial, a guilty plea, or a proposed disposition or application for reduction of charges. If your license is suspended, you may be required to pay a suspension lift fee of $70.00 per ticket.
Confirm that the ticket is returnable in the Village of Sidney Court.
If the ticket has a return place in the Town of Sidney, the ticket must be resolved in the Town of Sidney - Do not use these instructions.
If the ticket has a return place in the Village of Sidney, you can proceed with these instructions.
NO INSPECTION TICKET: In the Village of Sidney Court, if you have been charged with a violation of "No Inspection" (section 306-b of the Vehicle and Traffic Law) and you have the vehicle inspected after the issuance of the ticket, the ticket will not automatically be dismissed. You must complete one of the options listed below.
A "No Inspection" ticket may only be dismissed if you can prove that the inspection was completed prior to the date of the issuance of the ticket.
EQUIPMENT VIOLATION: In Village of Sidney Court, if you have been charged with an equipment violation (Sections 375, 376 or 381 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law), the ticket may be dismissed if you provide proof to the court that the equipment defect has been corrected prior to the date you are ordered to appear in court as written on the ticket. You can obtain a Notice of Correction from any police department, a state inspection station, or an automobile repair shop. It is your responsibility to submit the proof of correction to the court.
If the box for misdemeanor or felony is checked, you must appear on the return date for arraignment. You can not use these instructions; you can not plead in writing or by mail.
If the box for traffic infraction is checked, you have the following options:
You can plead guilty in writing
You can plead not guilty in writing
You can appear before the court
Guilty Plea (In Writing)
Fill out and sign the ticket. Be sure to include your complete mailing street address, city, state, and zip code.
If you provide an affirmative defense, that is, you indicate a valid basis or reason for the improper issuance of the ticket (for example, the sign was missing). the Court will be unable to accept the plea of guilty and a non-jury trial will be scheduled. You must submit an unequivocal plea of guilty for a guilty plea to be accepted by the Court. In New York State, there is no provision in the law for a "No Contest" plea.
Upon receipt of the plea of guilty, the Court will notify you, by mail, of the Fine and Mandatory Surcharge that has been assessed. Unless otherwise directed by the Court, payment is due within 30 days of the mailing of the Fine letter. Note: Within 60 days of the issuance of the ticket, you must contact the court, either in person or in writing, and plead either guilty or not guilty to avoid suspension of your driver's license and the imposition of a $70 fee per ticket.
Not Guilty Plea (In Writing)
Complete and sign the ticket. Be sure to include your complete mailing address, city, state and zip code. Check the appropriate box if you are requesting a Supporting Deposition. A Supporting Deposition is the police officer's written version of the offense. Your request for the Supporting Deposition must be made no later than 30 days following the return date on the ticket and you must either have been arraigned by the Judge or filed a Not Guilty plea within 48 hours after issuance of the ticket. If you fail to comply with these requirements, the request will be denied.
If the request is granted and the officer fails to provide the Supporting Deposition within 30 days of the receipt by the Court of your request, you may make a motion to the Court, in writing, requesting a dismissal of the charge.
Upon receipt of your plea of not guilty the court will mail you a letter with your trial date.
Note: Within 60 days of the issuance of the ticket, you must contact the court, either in person or in writing, and plead either guilty or not guilty to avoid suspension of your driver's license and the imposition of a $70 fee per ticket.
Appearance in Court (To Plead Guilty or Not Guilty)
If you wish to appear before the Court, you should arrange to appear on the return date listed on the front of the ticket. If another date is needed, you may contact the Court in writing to request a new date.
If a plea of Not Guilty is entered in open court and on the record, you will be advised of your options.
Note: Within 60 days of the issuance of the ticket, you must contact the court, either in person or in writing, and plead either guilty or not guilty to avoid suspension of your driver's license and the imposition of a $70 fee per ticket.
Non-Jury Trial on a Traffic Ticket
On the date of the Non-Jury Trial, you must be prepared to proceed and present evidence and/or witnesses on your behalf.
If you are found Not Guilty, an acquittal will be entered on the record. At that time, bail posted, if any, will be returned to the posting individual. (Bail receipt & picture ID required)
If you are found to be Guilty by the Court, a Fine and Mandatory Surcharge will be assessed.
You Have the Right to Appeal a Traffic Infraction Conviction.
Do I need a lawyer to appear in court with me?
Although you are not required to have an attorney, it is not recommended that you proceed to trial without the aid of counsel for any charges other than Vehicle & Traffic infractions.
Village of Sidney Justice Court
Hon. Andrew Z. Skrobanski