makes new designations, and he may make temporary designations in case of the absence or disability of any justice. A majority of the justices in any Appellate Division must be residents of the department. The Appellate Division hears appeals from judgments and orders given at the Trial and Special Terms of the Supreme Court, or by the Surrogates' Courts, the County Courts, the City Court, and the General Sessions, the latter two being County Courts of New York County. The justices of the Appellate Division appoint the times and places and designate the justices by whom the various Trial and Special Terms shall be held. 2. The TRIAL TERM is held by one of the judges of the Supreme Court, together with a jury, and is for the trial of cases usually involving issues of fact. This branch of the Supreme Court has the broadest possible criminal jurisdiction, namely, to try all crimes and indictments, except those minor crimes and misdemeanors that must, in the first instance, be heard in the lower courts. An appeal from this court lies to the Appellate Division, and from thence to the Court of Appeals. 3. The SPECIAL TERM is held by one of the judges of the Supreme Court for the trial of cases without a jury, and for argument of issues of law. The cases are usually equity cases. For the administration of justice, through the Supreme Court, the State is divided into eight JUDICIAL DISTRICTS, and Trial and Special Terms are therein appointed. The divisions are by counties, and the Districts of the State are numbered as follows: 1. New York County. 2. Richmond, Suffolk, Orange, Kings, Westchester, Queens, Rockland, Dutchess, and Putnam counties. 3. Columbia, Rensselaer, Sullivan, Ulster, Albany, Greene, and Schoharie counties. 4. Warren, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Washington, Essex, Franklin, Clinton, Montgomery, Hamilton, Fulton, and Schenectady counties. 5. Onondaga, Jefferson, Oneida, Oswego, Herkimer, and Lewis counties. 6. Otsego, Delaware, Madison, Chenango, Tompkins, Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Tioga, and Cortland counties. 7. Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, Yates, Steuben, Seneca, Cayuga, and Monroe counties. 8. Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Orleans, Niagara, Genesee, Allegany, and Wyoming counties. How can one ascertain the name of the place and the judge, and the time of holding courts in any of the Judicial Districts? The names of all the judges of the Supreme Court may be found in the Red Book, which can be obtained through one's Assemblyman, and the terms are therein generally indicated. The Clerk of your County Court can give more detailed information. Where can one learn the names and addresses of all the officers of New York City? In the City Record, which may be obtained in the basement of the City Hall. What court is next below the Supreme Court? The COUNTY COURT, which has power to try all criminal cases except where the penalty involved is death, and has jurisdiction in most of the actions to recover money where the sum does not exceed $2000. The County Judge is an officer of his county, as is the Surrogate. A County Court is held at the county seat at such times as the County Judge designates. |