Civil division

Responsibilities

The Civil Division, under the direction of Deputy John Button, is responsible for the service and enforcement of all civil process matters. This includes the delivery of various legal documents and court orders such as divorce papers, lawsuits, eviction notices, and more. The division also enforces resulting judgments, including wage garnishments (income executions), court-ordered evictions, money judgments, and property seizures.

In addition to their civil responsibilities, Civil Deputies also assist with certain criminal matters. This includes supporting the road patrol division, responding to motor vehicle accidents, and providing general assistance as needed.

The Civil Division operates in a highly specialized and demanding area of law enforcement. Each year, the division collects approximately $450,000, generating around $50,000 in fees and poundage revenue for the County.

While the Civil Division is committed to providing professional, efficient service and assisting the public whenever possible, we are not permitted to offer legal advice. For any legal questions, individuals are encouraged to consult with a qualified attorney.

Eviction PROCEDURES

The Civil Office handles a significant number of evictions each year. Fees for serving eviction-related paperwork are outlined in the Civil Division Fee Schedule and can be viewed here.

Under New York State law, only the County Sheriff (or a Marshall, where applicable) has the legal authority to serve and enforce a Warrant of Eviction. Once the warrant is served, the property will be inspected after the legally required time period has passed. If the tenant(s) have not vacated the premises, the landlord (or property owner) will be contacted to arrange for the physical removal of the tenant(s).

These arrangements will include the use of insured movers and public storage for the tenant’s personal property. In accordance with Sheriff's Office policy, landlords are required to prepay 30 days of public storage prior to the eviction. All removal-related costs may be presented in court, and the landlord may seek a money judgment against the tenant(s) to recover these expenses.

Civil Division Deputies will be on-site during the removal to serve as peacekeepers. According to the law, evictions may only occur between sunrise and sunset. If the removal is extensive and cannot be completed in one day, additional Deputy time on subsequent days will be billed to the landlord.

Eviction forms

Click here to access New York State eviction forms.

Civil judgment payments

Click here to pay civil judgments online.