Ulster County judges sit on five different benches: the County Court, the Family Court, the Surrogate’s Court, the Supreme Court seats assigned to the Third Judicial District, and the town and village justice courts scattered across the county. Each court handles a distinct set of cases, and every judge reaches the bench by election rather than appointment.
Ulster County Court
Judge Bryan Rounds presides over the Ulster County Court and also sits as an Acting Supreme Court Justice.1New York Courts. Ulster County Supreme and County Courts The County Court’s authority comes from Article VI of the New York State Constitution, which establishes a county court in every county outside New York City.2Justia. New York Constitution Article VI – Judiciary
On the criminal side, the court hears felony cases: offenses serious enough to carry potential state prison sentences of more than one year, such as assault, drug offenses, and grand larceny. It also handles civil lawsuits up to $25,000. Beyond those trial matters, the County Court functions as an appellate body, reviewing decisions from town and village justice courts across the county.
Ulster County Family Court
Three judges staff the Ulster County Family Court: Judge Keri Savona, Judge Sarah Rakov, and Judge Lara Olivieri.3New York Courts. Ulster County Family Court The court’s jurisdiction, set by the New York Constitution, covers cases where minors need the court’s protection or intervention, including neglect, delinquency, and dependency situations.4Justia. New York Constitution Article VI Section 13 – Family Court Organization and Jurisdiction
Day to day, the Family Court handles custody disputes, visitation arrangements, paternity establishment, and child support petitions. It hears petitions involving child abuse or neglect, which can result in removing a child from a dangerous home. Juvenile delinquency proceedings and Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) cases are decided here as well, with a focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.5New York State Senate. Family Court Act 115 – Jurisdiction of Family Court Proceedings are typically confidential, and judges apply a “best interests of the child” standard.
Family Court can also handle support, custody, and property distribution when the Supreme Court refers a matrimonial case down to it. The court cannot grant a divorce itself, but its judges often manage the practical aftermath of one.4Justia. New York Constitution Article VI Section 13 – Family Court Organization and Jurisdiction
Ulster County Surrogate’s Court
Judge Sara McGinty serves as the Ulster County Surrogate.6New York State Unified Court System. Ulster County Surrogates Court The Surrogate’s Court handles legal matters that arise after someone dies, primarily the probate of wills and the administration of estates.7Justia. New York Constitution Article VI Section 12 – Surrogates Courts, Judges, and Jurisdiction When a resident dies with a valid will, the court confirms the document and issues letters testamentary to the named executor. When someone dies without a will, the Surrogate appoints an administrator and issues letters of administration, with New York’s intestacy statute controlling who inherits.8New York State Senate. New York Estates, Powers and Trusts Law Section 4-1.1 – Descent and Distribution of a Decedents Estate
The Surrogate also processes legal adoptions and can appoint guardians for minors or for individuals who need protection.6New York State Unified Court System. Ulster County Surrogates Court A single judge carries the full volume of probate, adoption, and guardianship filings for the county.
Supreme Court Justices Serving Ulster County
The Supreme Court in New York is the main trial-level court, not the state’s highest court, and the constitution gives it general original jurisdiction in law and equity. Ulster County sits within the Third Judicial District, which also includes Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, and Sullivan counties.9Justia. New York Constitution Article VI Section 6 – Judicial Districts and Supreme Court
Four Supreme Court Justices are currently assigned to Ulster County: Julian Schreibman, Kevin R. Bryant, David Gandin, and Sharon Graff. County Court Judge Bryan Rounds also sits as an Acting Supreme Court Justice, a common arrangement where county judges take on Supreme Court caseloads to help manage demand.1New York Courts. Ulster County Supreme and County Courts
The Supreme Court is the only court in New York that can grant a divorce.10New York Courts. Divorce Resources It hears contested divorces, legal separations, and annulments, along with the related property and spousal support issues. The justices also handle civil lawsuits above the County Court’s $25,000 threshold, including medical malpractice, complex personal injury claims, and challenges to government agency decisions. When a party needs an order forcing someone to stop a harmful activity or fulfill a contract, that equitable relief is litigated here.
Town and Village Justice Courts
Each town and village in Ulster County operates its own justice court with a locally elected judge. These courts handle the highest volume of cases in the county but have the narrowest jurisdiction: traffic tickets, code violations, small claims, and misdemeanor criminal charges. For a felony arrest, a justice court judge may conduct the initial arraignment and set bail, but the case then moves up to County Court for prosecution.
A decision from a town or village court is not necessarily the final word. Appeals from these local benches go to the Ulster County Court, which provides a layer of review for anyone who believes the local ruling was legally flawed.
How Ulster County Judges Are Elected and How Long They Serve
Every judge serving in Ulster County reaches the bench through a public election. County Court and Family Court judges are elected countywide for 10-year terms.4Justia. New York Constitution Article VI Section 13 – Family Court Organization and Jurisdiction The Surrogate is also elected countywide for a 10-year term.7Justia. New York Constitution Article VI Section 12 – Surrogates Courts, Judges, and Jurisdiction Supreme Court Justices serve 14-year terms and are elected by voters across the entire Third Judicial District, not just Ulster County.
Candidates for judicial office in New York must be state residents admitted to the practice of law for at least 10 years. County Court and Surrogate’s Court judges must live in the county they serve. All judges face a mandatory retirement age of 70 under the state constitution.11Justia. New York Constitution Article VI Section 25 – Judges and Justices, Compensation, and Retirement Supreme Court Justices may apply for two-year certifications to continue hearing cases past 70, up to age 76. For County, Family, and Surrogate court judges, retirement at 70 is final.