About New York County

New York County is one of the most iconic and densely populated counties in the United States, coterminous with the borough of Manhattan in New York City. Covering just 23 square miles, it is one of the smallest counties by land area in the country, yet it packs an extraordinary amount of urban life, culture, and commerce into that compact footprint. Manhattan is bounded by the Hudson River to the west, the East River to the east, the Harlem River and Spuyten Duyvil Creek to the north, and New York Harbor to the south, giving the island its distinctive and immediately recognizable shape on any map. With a population of approximately 1,694,251 residents, New York County is one of the most densely populated places on Earth, with neighborhoods ranging from the towering skyscrapers of Midtown and the Financial District to the brownstone-lined streets of Harlem, the vibrant communities of Washington Heights, and the cultural melting pot of the Lower East Side. The county seat is the City of New York itself, making New York County unique in that its governmental identity is fully merged with that of the city. The borough's neighborhoods reflect extraordinary ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity, hosting communities from virtually every nation on Earth. Economically, New York County serves as the financial capital of the world, home to Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and the headquarters of countless Fortune 500 companies, major banks, hedge funds, and law firms. The media, fashion, technology, healthcare, and tourism industries all have massive presences here, driving one of the largest metropolitan economies on the planet. The county draws millions of tourists annually to landmarks such as Central Park, Times Square, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Empire State Building. Despite its extraordinary wealth, New York County also grapples with significant income inequality, high costs of living, and complex social challenges that reflect the full spectrum of urban American life.

Practice Areas in New York County

Criminal Law
Criminal Law
Charges, arrests, bail and criminal trials.
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DUI
DUI
DUI charges, licence suspension and reinstatement.
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Family Law
Family Law
Divorce, custody, property and support.
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Immigration Law
Immigration
Visas, green cards, deportation and citizenship.
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Traffic Law
Traffic Law
Traffic violations, licence matters and offences.
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Employment Law
Employment Law
Wrongful termination, discrimination, disputes.
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Courts in New York County

New York County is served by several courts operating within the New York State Unified Court System. The New York County Supreme Court, located at 60 Centre Street in lower Manhattan, handles major civil cases including those exceeding $25,000 in controversy as well as serious felony criminal matters. The New York County Criminal Court, also at 100 Centre Street, processes misdemeanor criminal cases and felony arraignments. The Civil Court of the City of New York in New York County, located at 111 Centre Street, handles civil disputes up to $25,000 and includes a Small Claims Part for matters up to $10,000. Family Court at 60 Lafayette Street handles matters involving child custody, support, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, and child protective proceedings. The Surrogate's Court at 31 Chambers Street manages estate proceedings, probate, and guardianship matters. Additionally, Housing Court operates as a division of Civil Court and addresses landlord-tenant disputes, evictions, and housing code violations, which are among the most frequently filed cases in the county given its vast rental housing market.

Federal vs State Jurisdiction in New York County

New York County falls within the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, one of the oldest and most prestigious federal courts in the nation, with its courthouse located at 500 Pearl Street in lower Manhattan. Federal courts in New York County handle cases involving federal law, constitutional questions, disputes between citizens of different states involving amounts over $75,000, federal criminal prosecutions, securities fraud, immigration matters, and cases involving the federal government as a party. The vast majority of legal matters that New York County residents encounter day-to-day — including landlord-tenant disputes, family law proceedings, most criminal charges, traffic violations, and state contract disputes — are handled exclusively by the New York State courts described above, which apply New York State law and procedure. Understanding which court system has jurisdiction over a particular matter is a critical first step, and an experienced attorney can quickly identify whether a case belongs in state or federal court and advise accordingly.

Common Legal Situations in New York County

Given the unique urban character of New York County, residents face a particularly broad and complex range of legal situations on a regular basis. Landlord-tenant disputes are among the most prevalent legal issues, with tenants facing evictions, illegal lockouts, failure to maintain habitable conditions, and disputes over security deposits in one of the tightest rental markets in the country. Employment law matters are extremely common, including wage theft, discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability, wrongful termination, and violations of both state and city human rights laws, which are notably broad. Family law issues including divorce, child custody, child support, and orders of protection arise frequently in the dense urban population. Criminal matters ranging from minor violations and misdemeanors to serious felonies are processed in volume through the county's courts. Traffic infractions, including those involving yellow cabs, ride-share vehicles, and cyclists, as well as personal injury claims arising from pedestrian and vehicle accidents on the city's busy streets, represent another major category of legal need. Additionally, the county's role as a financial hub means business disputes, contract disagreements, and securities-related legal matters are far more prevalent here than in most other jurisdictions.

Why Go To Court for New York County Legal Matters

Go To Court provides New York County residents with access to experienced legal professionals who understand the complexity and fast pace of Manhattan's court system, from Housing Court proceedings in the morning to Supreme Court appearances in the afternoon. Whether you are facing an urgent legal matter or need time to plan your approach, Go To Court's 24/7 free legal hotline means you can get guidance at any hour, which is especially valuable in a city that never sleeps and where legal deadlines can appear without warning. The team's broad experience across criminal, civil, family, and employment matters means that no matter what legal challenge you are facing in New York County, there is a knowledgeable professional ready to assist you. With transparent fixed-fee arrangements coming soon, New York County residents will be able to access quality legal representation without the uncertainty of unpredictable billing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

My landlord is trying to evict me in Manhattan. What are my rights as a tenant?

New York City has some of the strongest tenant protections in the United States, and a landlord must follow a strict legal process to evict you, including serving proper written notice and obtaining a court order from Housing Court before you can be removed. You have the right to appear in court, present defenses, and in many cases request additional time. Consulting with an attorney as soon as you receive any eviction notice is strongly advisable, as missing a court date can result in a default judgment against you.

I was arrested in New York County for a misdemeanor. What happens next?

After an arrest in New York County, you will typically be arraigned in Criminal Court at 100 Centre Street, where charges are formally read and bail is considered. Misdemeanor cases are heard in New York County Criminal Court, and you have the right to an attorney at every stage of the proceedings. The outcome of your case will depend on the specific charges, your criminal history, and the strength of the evidence, so securing experienced legal representation early can significantly affect the result.

How does New York City's Human Rights Law differ from state and federal employment discrimination protections?

The New York City Human Rights Law is widely considered one of the broadest anti-discrimination statutes in the country, covering a wider range of protected characteristics and applying to smaller employers than either federal or New York State law. It covers discrimination based on factors including sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, criminal history, and caregiver status, among many others, and its remedies can include compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees. If you believe you have experienced workplace discrimination in New York County, you may have stronger claims under the city law than you would under federal statutes alone.

I was injured in a slip and fall accident on a New York City sidewalk. Can I sue the city?

You may be able to bring a claim against New York City for a sidewalk injury, but doing so involves strict procedural requirements, including filing a Notice of Claim with the city within 90 days of the incident. Failure to file this notice within the deadline can permanently bar your ability to sue the city, making it critical to act quickly and seek legal advice as soon as possible after the accident. Liability may also extend to the property owner abutting the sidewalk, depending on the circumstances, and an attorney can help identify all potentially responsible parties.

What is the process for filing a small claims case in New York County?

The Small Claims Part of the Civil Court of the City of New York in New York County allows individuals to bring claims for money damages up to $10,000 without the need for an attorney, though you may choose to hire one. You can file a claim at the courthouse at 111 Centre Street by completing a simple form and paying a modest filing fee, and a hearing will typically be scheduled within a few weeks. While the process is designed to be accessible to non-lawyers, having legal guidance can still be valuable in presenting your evidence effectively and understanding what damages you are entitled to recover.

Neighbouring Counties

New York County (Manhattan) is bordered by Bronx County to the north and northeast, Queens County to the east across the East River, Kings County (Brooklyn) to the southeast across the East River and Upper New York Bay, and Hudson County, New Jersey to the west across the Hudson River.