New York City is five counties, five elected district attorneys, and five criminal courts that do not operate identically. The borough where a case is filed determines the charging practice, the diversion options actually available, the pace of the calendar, and the office policy a prosecutor is working under.

The Five Courthouses

New York County Criminal Court sits at 100 Centre Street, with Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street. Kings County Criminal Court is at 320 Jay Street in Brooklyn. Queens County Criminal Court is at 125-01 Queens Boulevard, with Supreme Court at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard. Bronx Criminal Court is at 265 East 161st Street, with Supreme Court at 851 Grand Concourse. Richmond County Criminal Court is at 26 Central Avenue on Staten Island, with Supreme Court at 18 Richmond Terrace.

Arraignment Sets the Terms

Arraignment is where release conditions, orders of protection and the initial charging decision are addressed. An order of protection entered at arraignment can remove a person from a home or a workplace before any evidence has been tested. Being represented at that appearance rather than after it changes what is possible.

The Federal Overlay

Conduct in Manhattan and the Bronx can be charged in the Southern District of New York at 500 Pearl Street. Conduct in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island falls in the Eastern District. A parallel federal investigation changes the analysis of every state-court decision.

Pages in This Section

The pages below address specific New York City neighborhoods and the courts that serve them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the borough really change how a case is handled?

Yes. Each borough is a separate county with its own elected district attorney, its own charging and diversion policies, and its own calendar practice. The same conduct can be handled quite differently across the five.

What happens at a New York City arraignment?

Arraignment addresses the charging instrument, release conditions and any order of protection. An order of protection entered at that appearance can take effect immediately, before any evidence has been tested.

Which federal district covers my borough?

Manhattan and the Bronx fall in the Southern District of New York at 500 Pearl Street. Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island fall in the Eastern District of New York.

About Mr. Sris

Mr. Sris is the founding attorney of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., a firm practicing since 1997. He is a former prosecutor and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey and New York. Of Counsel attorneys contract directly with the firm and handle matters alongside him.

Speak With Mr. Sris

Each borough is a separate county with its own district attorney and its own practice. Request a consultation. Reach our location at (888) 437-7747. Consultations are by appointment.

Last reviewed: August 24, 2026.

Attorney Advertising. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., principal office: 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032. By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.

The information on this page is general and is not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading it or by contacting the firm. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.

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