Town Justice
Carol Poles
Phone: (845) 677-6366
(Elected through 12/31/2025)
Court Clerk
Heather Harwood
Phone: (845) 677-6366 x5
Fax: (845) 677-6366
Email: justicecourt@washingtonny.org
Office Hours
Monday: 3 PM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 1 PM - 4 PM
Wednesday: 1 PM - 4 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
*Fines can be paid on Tuesday from 1 PM - 3 PM,
Wednesday from 1 PM - 3 PM,
and Thursday from 9 AM - 2:30 PM.
10 Reservoir Drive, PO Box 667
Millbrook, NY 12545
Constable
James Brownell
Court Information
- Court is held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 5:30 PM.
- Special Prosecutor for all Traffic Cases & Civil Court – 2nd Tuesday
- District Attorney & Public Defender – 4th Tuesday
- The Court handles all cases within the Town of Washington and the Village of Millbrook.
- The Court is accepting the following forms of payments: Money Orders, EXACT Cash/Change, Credit Cards, or Bank Checks.
- The Court Clerk may answer questions about court procedures but cannot give legal advice.
- The Court is created under and governed by the Unified Justice Court Act.
Court is in session on the following days:
2nd Tuesday of the month @ 5:30pm
Vehicle/Traffic & Civil
4th Tuesday of the month @ 5:30pm
DA
Civil Court
The Town of Washington Court hears formal civil cases when either the Plaintiff or the Defendant resides in, is employed in or has a place of business within the Town.
Defendants are not guaranteed legal representation in civil court as they are in criminal court but may retain legal representation. People with low income may wish to contact Legal Services of the Hudson Valley which is funded, in part, by the US Department of Health and Human Service, the New York State Office for the Aging, and Dutchess County.
Vehicle and Traffic Court
Cases charging the commission of a traffic infraction within the town limits are filed in the Town of Washington Justice Court. Information regarding how to proceed with a traffic ticket may be found on the ticket issued to the motorist. If the motorist responds by pleading not guilty, the Court Clerk will schedule a hearing. The Court conducts non-jury or bench trials for violations, offenses and vehicle and traffic cases. If the motorist pleads guilty by mail, a fine letter will be issued that instructs the defendant on procedure and amount of payment. Under certain circumstances, a defendant may be found guilty and be issued a sentence that may include attendance to the Alive at 25 Program or may be sentenced to attend a defensive driving program that can be taken in class or online.
Small Claims Court
The Court hears small claims cases up to a maximum amount of $3000 when the Defendant resides in, is employed in, or has a place of business within the Town. Individuals and sole proprietors of businesses may bring a suit against an individual, corporation, partnership, association or assignee in Small Claims Court by filing a claim with the Court. There is a filing fee of $10 for claims up to $1000 and $15 for claims up to $3000. You may not file a claim in Small Claims Court for over $3000. Small Claims Court is intended to provide a simple, informal and inexpensive procedure for prompt determination of small claims.
Landlord / Tenant Court
The Court hears Summary Proceedings/Evictions when the property and the Respondent are located within the Town. These proceedings include non-payment of rent or holdover evictions. Plaintiffs may claim the full amount in dispute as there is no limit on the amount of the claim for which the Court has civil jurisdiction in such cases. The Court hears both residential and commercial landlord/tenant cases. There is a $20 filing fee, and a transcript of judgment is $2.
Criminal Court
The Town of Washington Court hears criminal cases originating within the Town and has full jurisdiction for non-felony cases (misdemeanors and violations) to accept guilty pleas or hold trials. On felony charges, the court conducts the arraignment and preliminary inquiry and may set bail or hold without bail. If the charges are not reduced to misdemeanors, the Town Court transfers them to Dutchess County Court for final disposition. The Town Court may not accept pleas in felony cases.
Defendants have the right to legal counsel and to choose a jury trial or non-jury trial for misdemeanor cases. The Dutchess County Public Defender’s Office provides legal services to criminal defendants who have been determined to be indigent.