The Court of Appeals, New York State's highest court, is composed of a Chief Judge and six Associate Judges, each appointed to a 14-year term. New York's highest appellate court was established to articulate statewide principles of law in the context of deciding particular lawsuits. The Court thus generally focuses on broad issues of law as distinguished from individual factual disputes. There is no jurisdictional limitation based upon the amount of money at stake in a case or the status or rank of the parties.

Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has broad authority over all categories of cases, including civil and criminal matters. The court generally handles civil matters seeking monetary damages greater than $25,000. It also hears cases where a party seeks to enjoin or stop certain actions by another party. The Supreme Court is the only court with the authority to address matters related to the termination of a marriage, including separation, annulment and divorce. While the Supreme Court has authority to hear criminal matters involving felonies (offenses punishable by a term of imprisonment that exceeds one year) generally outside New York City these matters are heard in the County Court.

County Court
The County Court is located in each county outside New York City. It is authorized to handle the prosecution of all crimes committed within the county. It has exclusive authority to handle trials in felony matters and shares authority with the local city, and town and village courts to handle trials in misdemeanor cases offenses punishable by a term of imprisonment that exceeds 15 days but does not exceed one year) and other minor offenses and violations (offenses punishable by a term of imprisonment that is less than fifteen days). The County Court also has limited authority to hear civil cases involving monetary awards of $25,000 or less.

City Court
The City Court exists in every city in the State and has authority to hear both criminal and civil matters. On the criminal side, the City Court is responsible for all Penal Law and City Code misdemeanors and minor offenses committed within the court’s regional boundaries. It also handles arraignments and preliminary proceedings in felony matters. In addition, the City Court is responsible for Vehicle and Traffic Law misdemeanors. On the civil side, the City Court hears civil actions seeking monetary awards in amounts up to $15,000, small claims proceedings involving claims up to $5,000 and disputed parking tickets. The court also handles landlord/tenant matters.

Family Court
The Family Court hears and determines most legal issues involving children and families. There is a Family Court within each county of the State which is authorized to hear matters relating to:

Custody, visitation and guardianship
Monetary support for children, spouses and ex-spouses
Adoption
Paternity
Abuse and neglect of children
Violence among family members
Children accused of committing crimes
Children in need of supervision

The Family Court does not handle proceedings involving separation, annulment or divorce. These matters must be brought in the Supreme Court, which has exclusive authority over such issues.

Surrogate Court
The Surrogate’s Court exists in every county in the State and handles all matters relating to wills, estates and property of deceased persons. The Surrogate’s Court also shares authority with the Family Court to hear adoption proceedings.

Court of Claims
The Court of Claims handles all civil cases seeking monetary damages from New York State. It has locations statewide.

Town and Village Courts
Town and Village Courts are located in towns and villages throughout New York State and hear both criminal and civil matters. On the criminal side, these courts are authorized to handle the prosecution of misdemeanors and violations that are committed within the town or village’s geographic boundaries. Town and Village Courts also conduct arraignments and preliminary hearings in felony matters. In addition, these courts hear Vehicle and Traffic Law misdemeanors and traffic infractions. On the civil side, the Town and Village Courts hear actions seeking monetary awards up to $3,000 and small claims proceedings for awards up to $3,000. These courts also handle landlord/tenant matters.

Sourced from: www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/index.shtml