Access Cortland Traffic Court Records
Traffic court records in Cortland County are managed through Cortland City Court, the County Court, and 15 town courts spread across this small county in central New York. The county seat is Cortland, home to SUNY Cortland. The Sixth Judicial District oversees the courts here. Both the County Court and City Court are located in Cortland, making it easy to handle most traffic matters in one area. The County Clerk provides free online access to public records through SearchIQS, and the court system offers online payment options for fines. This page breaks down where to find your case, how to pay, and what to expect from the local courts.
Cortland County Traffic Court Records
Cortland Traffic Court Records
The Cortland County Court is at 46 Greenbush Street, Suite 301, Cortland, NY 13045-2765. Phone: 607-218-3320. Email: cortlandcounty@nycourts.gov. Business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The court handles prosecution of all crimes committed within the county and has exclusive authority for felony trials. It shares authority with local courts for misdemeanor cases.
County Court Judge Hon. Julie A. Campbell works with Court Attorney BreAnna Avery and Secretary Kimberly Reakes (607-218-3343, fax 212-520-6829). County Court Judge Hon. Randolph V. Kruman has Court Attorney David C. Alexander and Secretary Patricia Romer (607-218-3345, fax 607-218-3367). Chief Clerk Emily Stith and Deputy Chief Clerk Tara Driscoll run the administrative side at 607-218-3320, fax 646-963-6452.
The County Court also acts as the appellate court for civil and criminal appeals from town and village courts. If you lost a traffic case at a local court, you can appeal to County Court. The court has limited authority to hear civil cases involving monetary awards of $25,000 or less. All visitors must pass through a magnetometer when entering the building.
Cortland Traffic Court Records
The Cortland City Court is at City Hall, 25 Court Street, Cortland, NY 13045. Phone: 607-218-3300. Fax: 607-218-3299. Email: cortlandcity@nycourts.gov. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This is the court that handles traffic tickets issued within the city of Cortland.
Judges include Hon. Lawrence J. Knickerbocker and Hon. Ronald T. Walsh. Court Attorney is Margaret S. Bardsley. Chief Clerk is Diana L. Davis, with Deputy Chief Clerk Janine M. Camillo. Like the County Court, all visitors pass through a magnetometer at City Hall. Online payment is available through the court website. Documents and letters that are not mailed must be filed using the EDDS system.
If you need to post bail during business hours, report to the Court Clerk's window for bond review. After hours, bail goes through Cortland City Police or Cortland County Jail. For traffic cases specifically, you can pay fines online, by mail, or in person at the clerk's window.
Cortland County Traffic Court Records
Searching public records at the Cortland County Clerk's Office is free of charge. Visit www.searchiqs.com/nycor to search online. The County Clerk's website has information on hours and copy costs. The Clerk accepts various forms of payment for copies and services.
The SearchIQS portal provides free access to Cortland County public records including court documents.
For a local record check at the County Clerk, the fee is $5.00 for a 2-year search per name. Mail requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Results are not given over the phone. For a statewide search, contact the NYS Office of Court Administration at 25 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10004, phone 212-428-2943 (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). The statewide search costs $55.00. All County Court papers are filed with the Court Clerk in Suite 301 at the Greenbush Street address.
Town Courts
Cortland County has 15 town courts: Cincinnatus, Cortlandville, Cuyler, Freetown, Harford, Homer, Lapeer, Marathon, Preble, Scott, Solon, Taylor, Truxton, Virgil, and Willet. Each handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, and small claims within their area. Court sessions and hours vary by town -- most hold sessions in the evening on set days of the month.
The back of your traffic ticket tells you which court has your case. Contact that court directly to find out your court date and what payment methods they accept. Town courts are "not courts of record," so appeals go to County Court for a fresh hearing. If you want to fight a ticket from one of these courts and the justice rules against you, you get another chance at the county level.
Tips for Your Case
Respond to your ticket within 15 days. Do not ignore it. Ignoring a ticket leads to a default conviction and often a license suspension. If you want to fight the charge, plead not guilty and request a hearing. Consider getting a traffic lawyer who knows the local courts. They can negotiate with the DA for a reduced charge, which saves you points and keeps your insurance from going up. The NYS Driver Point System explains how points work. The NYS DMV traffic tickets page covers your rights and options statewide.
Nearby Counties
Cortland County is in central New York, surrounded by several other counties. Tickets issued near a border may go to a court in a neighboring county.