Town Court

Big Flats Government

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Town Hall

476 Maple Street
Big Flats, New York 14814
(607) 562–8443

Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm

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On This Page…

Court Information
Court Fees
Traffic Infractions
Parking Tickets

Court Information

Justices

Honorable Robert Gush (09)

Honorable Charles E. Wood (12)

Court Clerk

Helen Schwartz

Deputy Court Clerk

Dail Phelps

Tel: (607) 562–8443 x233

Fax: (607) 562–8796

Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday
8:00am to 12:00pm and 12:45pm to 4:00pm
Except Holidays
Payments are not accepted past 3:00pm

Mailing Address

Big Flats Town Court
PO Box 449
Big Flats, NY 14814

Court Schedule

Court is held every Thursday at 7:00pm in the Town Court building next to the Town Hall.

Driving Directions from Elmira:

Take Interstate 86 to Exit 49
Make a left and cross the Interstate
Make a left onto Maple Street
Follow Maple Street through the intersection and the Municipal Complex is on your right. The Courtroom is the first building. You can turn right after Miniers Plaza and park behind the Court building.

Driving Directions from Corning:

Take Interstate 86 to Exit 49
Make a right at the end of the exit ramp
Make a left onto Maple Street
Follow Maple Street through the intersection and the Municipal Complex is on your right. The Courtroom is the first building. You can turn right after Miniers Plaza and park behind the Court building.

Court Fees

*Small Claims and Commercial Claims*
Small Claims (damages of $1,000 or less)	$10.00
Small Claims (damages over $1,000 and less than $3,000)	$15.00
Counterclaims in Small Claims Court(damages up to $3,000)	postage+$3.00
Small Claims Jury Demand	$50.00
*Summary Proceedings*
Summary Proceedings/Evictions	$20.00
*Civil Actions*
First Papers	$20.00
Jury Demand Fee	$10.00
*Miscellaneous Civil Court Fees*
Transcript of Judgment	$2.00
Information Subpoena	$2.00
Civil Case Appeal	$5.00
*Court Fees*
Certificate of Deposition/Conviction	$5.00
*Copies*
Copies (per page)	$0.25

Traffic Infractions

If you receive a Traffic Ticket in the Town of Big Flats…

If the Offense Type on the front of the ticket is a Misdemeanor, you must appear in Town Court on the date written on the ticket to be arraigned before a Town Justice.

If the Offense Type is a Traffic Infraction, you can plead GUILTY or NOT GUILTY

To plead GUILTY, fill out PART A of the Uniform Traffic Ticket (as shown below). Include your current mailing address and sign it. Return the ticket to the Big Flats Town Court by mail, in person at the Court Clerk’s Office in Town Hall, or in person before the judge on the date of your scheduled appearance before the Court. If you mail the ticket, send it by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested. The Court will contact you when your plea is received and will notify you by mail if the fines and mandatory surcharge assessed.

If your mailing address changes, YOU MUST NOTIFY THE COURT.

To plead NOT GUILTY, fill out PART B of the Uniform Traffic Ticket, sign it and mail it to Big Flats Town Court within 48 hours of receipt of the ticket. Send it by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested.
You can also plead NOT GUILTY by appearing before the Court on the date specified on your ticket.
You can request a Supporting Deposition by checking the appropriate box on the back of the ticket. A supporting Deposition will provide you with additional information regarding the basis for the ticket. A Supporting Deposition request must be timely: within 30 days of the appearance date listed on the ticket. The Court will then order the Supporting Deposition from the Police Officer who issued the ticket. The Police Officer must provide you with the Supporting Deposition.
After your plea is entered, your case will be scheduled for a non-jury trial. The Court will advise you by First Class Mail of the trial date.

If your mailing address changes prior to this, YOU MUST NOTIFY THE COURT.

You should advise the Court if you will be represented by an attorney and the attorney should file a NOTICE OF APPEARANCE with the Court
At your trial, the Police Officer (prosecutor) must present evidence to the Court. You will have the opportunity to cross-examine any witnesses the prosecution presents. You can also present evidence to the Court, including testimony from yourself or any other individuals. If you need to subpoena a witness, you can apply for a subpoena at the time that you are notified of the trial date.
At the conclusion of the trial, the Judge will render a verdict or reserve decision. If the Court reserves decision, a written decision will be issued by the Judge and you will receive a copy at the address on file with the Court.
If the Court finds you NOT GUILTY on all infractions, the case is ended.
If the Court finds you GUILTY on one or more infractions, a fine and mandatory surcharge will be assessed.
You have the right to appeal a traffic infraction conviction. Contact the Court Clerk’s office for directions.

Q What if I don’t enter a plea?

A You are given an appearance date at the time the ticket is issued and you are required to enter a plea by that date. If you do not return the ticket and you fail to appear before the Court, your driver’s license will be suspended.

Q What if I don’t pay the fines?

A When you are assessed a fine or surcharge, the Court will direct you to make payment in full by a specific date. The Court accepts partial payments only upon request and approval by the Judge. If you pay by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your receipt. If you do not pay your fines, your driver’s license will be suspended.

Q What if I cannot make it to Court?

A Contact the Court immediately. Only the Court may grant adjournments and adjournments are not granted within 48 hours of the appearance date. You are expected to find an alternative method to Court should you encounter any last minute problems such as your car not starting.

Q Who can I talk to if the Court Office is closed?

A NO ONE. Only the Court Clerk may answer questions or take payments. If the Court Clerk is unavailable, you MUST attempt to contact the Court Clerk again. The Operator and other Town Employees CANNOT assist you in person or by telephone. The Office is normally open but it is occasionally necessary to close without advance notice.

Q Can I resolve a traffic infraction by phone or email?

A No. You must appear in person or notify the Court by mail.

Parking Tickets

Paying a parking ticket

If you have received a parking ticket in the Town of Big Flats and wish to plead guilty to the infraction as charged, mail or present your parking ticket to the Court by the return date written on the ticket.

Contesting a parking ticket

You can plead GUILTY or NOT GUILTY by following the instructions on the back of the ticket. If you enter a plea of GUILTY, a fine notice will be sent to you. If you enter a plea of NOT GUILTY, a hearing will be scheduled before the Judge.