Justice Department

Julie Gansle, Clerk of the Court

Public Safety Center
312 Wolf Road
Latham, NY 12110

(518) 783-2714

Court Office Window: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Welcome to Town of Colonie Justice Court. This court has jurisdiction over a broad range of matters, including vehicle and traffic matters, small claims, evictions, civil matters and criminal offenses. The Colonie Court is one of the busiest justice courts in the State processing nearly 25,000 cases annually.

The Court has three Town Justices presiding over all Court proceedings, the Honorable Peter G. Crummey, the Honorable Andrew C. Sommers and the Honorable Norman C. Massry.

Honorable Peter G. Crummey

Senior Town Justice

Honorable Andrew C. Sommers

Town Justice

Honorable Norman C. Massry

Town Justice
State of the Court

The Court initiated a State of the Court Report in 2009 and submits an annual update which may be viewed by clicking the link(s) below.

Acceptable Forms of Payment

The Justice Court is open daily between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m Monday - Friday. You may appear in person or mail payments to the address above:

  • Cash (In-Person)
  • Money Order / Certified Check made payable to Colonie Town Justice
  • Visa or MasterCard by returning the attached Authorization Form in person or by mail
Or Make Payment:

Location and Directions

The Colonie Town Justice is located in the Public Safety Center at 312 Wolf Road. We are located in the same building as the Colonie Police and EMS Departments.



From NY State Thruway
From NY State Thruway- to exit 24, follow signs for I87 North (Albany Intrn’l Airport).

From I-87 North
From I-87 North-to exit 4 (Wolf Rd), proceed to end of the exit ramp, at traffic light turn left, proceed to the next traffic light (intersection of Wolf Rd and Albany Shaker Rd) and turn left, *heading toward Albany Airport). At the next traffic light, turn right (the Bluestone Bistro is on the corner), once you make that right, we are ¼ mile on the left hand side in the Public Safety Center.

From I-87 South
From I-87 South-to exit 4, at end of the ramp take a right at the traffic light, the Justice Court is ¼ mile on the left, in the Public Safety Center.

From I-90 West
From I-90 West-to exit 1N, then follow I-87 North (see above).

Wedding Requests

Wedding requests are available and can be done by appointment only. In New York State, Town Judges may perform civil wedding ceremonies.To schedule a wedding, Judge Crummey, Judge Massry and Judge Sommers may be contacted at (518) 783-2714.

Court Hours

The Colonie Justice Court window is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).

The Colonie Justice Court holds court sessions six days a week. Monday court sessions begin at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday court sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday court sessions begin at 6:00 p.m. Thursday court sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and our Saturday and Sunday arraignment court sessions begin at 8:00 a.m. Any weekday arraignments begin at 8:30a.m.

All court sessions are held in Courtroom #1 with the exception of Thursday court sessions and all hearings and trials which are heard in Courtroom #2. Anyone appearing for jury duty can proceed directly into courtroom #2 and check in with the clerk. The juror questionnaire should be filled out and presented to the clerk upon check in.

How do I contact the Court?
The Court Office window is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.; the court can be reached by phone at 518-783-2714 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and the Courts mailing address is: Justice Court, Public Safety Center; 312 Wolf Road, Latham, NY 12110-4814.
I owe the court a payment, what are my options?
The Justice Court is open daily between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You may appear in person or mail to the address above:
  • Cash (in person)
  • Money Order/Certified Check made payable to "Colonie Town Justice"
  • Visa or MasterCard by Returning the attached Authorization Form in person or by mail
OR make payment:
What will happen if I forget to appear in court or make my payment?
Failure to pay on time, contact the Court, or appear may result in a Bench Warrant being issued for your arrest as well as forfeiture of any bail. Failure to pay your fine, surcharge or restitution within 60 days may cause the amount to be converted to a civil judgment against you and/or suspension of your New York State driving privilege.
Vehicle & Traffic
What must I do if I receive a traffic ticket?
Your ticket contains the information on how to answer the ticket. You must respond to the ticket to prevent a suspension of your driver license or driving privileges. For more information on answering your ticket visit the Document Center (Instructions for Vehicle & Traffic Application for Reduction of Charges).
What will happen if I do nothing about the ticket?
A warrant can be issued for your arrest and your license can be suspended.
What is a supporting deposition?
A supporting deposition is a document that has information about why the ticket was given, the time and location of the stop, and other information about what happened.
For answers to other frequently asked questions involving vehicle and traffic matters and other license related questions including: For information on Penalties visit Alcohol/Drug Related Traffic Offenses.
For Vehicle & Traffic Application for Reduction of Charges Instructions click here.
Criminal
I’ve been arrested. What will happen to me in court?
It’s important to appear on the date you have been given. On the first court date, the judge will explain the charges and you will be given a copy of them. If you do not have a lawyer, the judge will decide if you can have a lawyer free of charge. The issue of bail will be discussed.
Do I have to hire a lawyer, what if I can’t afford to?
If you are seeking the services of the Public Defender, you must contact their office directly at (518) 447-7150 or visit Albany County Office of the Public Defender.
If you are seeking, or wish to obtain information on private attorneys visit the NY Bar Association.
I have an outstanding warrant. If I come to court, will the judge put me in jail?
A warrant will not stop until the person makes a personal appearance in court. The judge will make a decision about bail and/or jail after reviewing a variety of factors.
How do I post bail and when do I get it back?
The Arresting Officer, Judge or Court Clerk will inform you if bail is required, the amount of your bail to be posted, and how it is to be posted. Bail is a form of security to be sure you return to court. In the event you fail to appear when directed, your bail is subject to forfeiture. Bail can't be returned until such time that the case is finished. Please note that if there is a conviction, there is a mandatory state surcharge on cash bail (3% of the amount).
In addition to the Fine imposed by the Judge, I see there is a Surcharge. Can the surcharge be waived?
In New York State, the court surcharge is mandatory and they cannot be waived (CPL 420.35). However, there is a provision which allows the time in which to pay the surcharge to be deferred (CPL 420.40). Upon request by the defendant, the surcharge can be converted to a civil judgment.
For answers to other frequently asked questions, or to download the Criminal Justice System Handbook.
Small Claims
In order to file a small claims action in our Court, the person or entity you are suing resides, or has an office for the transaction of business or regular employment within the Town of Colonie. In other words, the address you provide the court must be located in the Town. You do need an exact address and the amount of your claim cannot exceed $3,000.
Once you have this information, you or, if you suffer from an illness or infirmity, someone on your behalf, must come to the Court to file a "statement of claim" at the Court Office. Claims may be filed Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
For more information you may pick up "A Guide to Small Claims Court in the NYS City, Town and Village Courts" at the Court office, or you may download the booklet online.
Additional frequently asked questions can be found here.
Landlord-Tenant
What is a summary proceeding?
A summary proceeding is a legal means for recovering possession of real property. A landlord or other person entitled to possession of real property can bring a summary proceeding to quickly remove an occupant and recover possession. The procedures for bringing a summary proceeding are found in Article 7 of the Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law (RPAPL). Other relevant provisions are found in the Real Property Law (RPL).
Where should I bring a summary proceeding?
A summary proceeding must be brought in the Court of the municipality in which the property is located. (RPAPL § 701) Therefore in order to bring a summary proceeding to this Court, the property must be located in the Town of Colonie.
What do I need to know to start a summary proceeding?
The parties to a summary proceeding are the petitioner (a landlord or other person entitled to possession of real property) and the respondent (the occupant of the real property). If the petitioner prevails, the court may issue a warrant of eviction that must be enforced by a sheriff.
How do I get started?
You need to obtain the paperwork from a legal supply store or online. A small property owner can use the free and easy DIY(Do-It-Yourself) Form programs to make the court papers needed to start a nonpayment case, a licensee holdover case, or a squatter holdover case.
Small Property Owner Nonpayment Petition Program
Find information about evictions (outside of New York City) for owners, landlords and tenants. Learn how to start and answer an eviction case here.
For additional frequently asked questions please visit the following link.
Court Records
While the public has a common law right of access to court records, that right of access may be restricted by statute. The Freedom of Information Law ("FOIL") specifically exempts court records from disclosure. However, certain court records are available under other laws.
How do I obtain court records?
Upon a request and the payment of the fees allowed by law, the court will diligently search and supply copies of court records not restricted by statute. The request must reasonably describe the specific records sought and cannot simply be a request for general information or for the creation or compilation of records.
Is there a fee to obtain Court records?
The fee for photocopies of records shall be 25 cents per page for photocopies. There is a search fee of $5.00 for every two-year consecutive search.
What do I need to do to obtain a Certificate of Conviction?
Submit a request to the court indicating the specific conviction referenced, include as much information as possible to ensure the correct court case is provided, along with the $5.00 fee.
Write Us
Our mailing address is:

Colonie Town Justice
Public Safety Center
312 Wolf Road
Latham, NY 12110-4814