Home to two of the three major NYC area airports, Queens County is the easternmost and largest of the five boroughs of New York City. It has the second largest and most diversified economy of all five boroughs and is one of the most ethnically diverse urban areas in the world. With a population of 2.4 million people, the County covers an area of 178 square miles.

Courts in Queens County

The Queens County court system consists of several courts, including Supreme Courts, Family Courts, Surrogate Courts, and City Courts. Supreme Courts in Queens County are trial courts of unlimited original jurisdiction. They typically hear cases outside the jurisdiction of other trial courts. The court exercises civil jurisdiction and also criminal jurisdiction over felony cases in which a sentence above one year may be imposed.

There is one Family Court in Queens County. This family Court hears matters involving children and family. Its jurisdiction extends to cases on adoption, custody, juvenile delinquency, guardianship, etc.

Surrogate’s Courts in Queens County hear cases involving inheritance, including the probate of wills and administration of estate. City Courts in Queens County handle both criminal and civil matters. They handle civil matters where the amount in dispute does not exceed $10,000. They also have criminal jurisdiction over misdemeanors.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Queens County

The Queens County Clerk holds access to public court records in the county. Members of the public can either mail a request to the office or access the records online. However, if the case in question is before 1992, a physical search will have to be conducted by appearing in person at the Queens County Clerk's Office. A $10.00 fee is required for such a search.

Types of Public Court Records in Queens County

Most documents created by the Queens County Courts are public court records. Examples of such records are:

• Criminal Records: including records of criminal misdemeanors and felonies
• Family Court Records: such as records of proceedings on custody and divorce
• Vital Records: including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage and divorce licenses
• Probate Court Records: including records of wills and estate, name change, and guardianship

Confidential Court Records in Queens County

Confidential court records are records redacted from the public either because of a court order or by provision of a statute. Examples of confidential court records in Queens County are:

• Probation Reports and Pre-Sentence Memoranda
• Records of Adoption Proceedings
• Sealed records in criminal cases that end favorably to the accused
• Orders of commitment of mentally ill Inmates
• Court records that might identify the victim in sex offense cases

Juvenile Delinquency in Queens, NY

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Queens County, juvenile delinquency issues are on the rise. There are many reasons for the rise in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in New York often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of crimes, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 530 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Queens County. Of that total, 83% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 442 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Queens County, are focusing on family therapy and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Queens County juvenile delinquency numbers will show whether or not this approach is working.

Queens County, NY Courts