Justice Christopher Penfold716-366-3945
Court Clerk Lisa Klajbor716-366-3945 (p) 716-371-4089 (fax)
lklajbor@nycourts.gov Deputy Court Clerk Ashley Dubois716-366-3945 (p) 716-371-4089 (fax)
adubois@nycourts.gov Court OfficersJames Curtin and Ronald Raczka
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Court Hours:
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM 4:00 PM Court is held every Monday night (except holidays) Vehicle and traffic cases are heard the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month stating at 5:30 PM, doors open at 5:00 PM Misdemeanors and Felonies are heard the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month starting at 4:30 PM, doors open at 4:00 PM |
YOU MAY CHOOSE ONE OF THE LEGAL OPTIONS IN REGARDS TO YOUR PENDING COURT CASE:
You may continue to plead NOT GUILTY and proceed to trial on the date specified on the front side of this letter. You are required to appear in court on this date and time and be prepared for a trial. By pleading “Not Guilty” you exercise your right to a public trial at which the People of the State of New York, represented by the prosecution, must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you have committed the offense alleged in the accusatory instrument. At the trial you will be sworn in, have the right to hear, see and challenge the evidence submitted to prove your guilt, including, confronting, by cross-examination, the Police Officer, Peace Officer or other witness or witnesses who testify against you. You also have the right to have a witness testify, under oath, on your behalf. You may, but not required to, testify on your own behalf. The court will determine, after hearing all the evidence submitted at the trial, whether or not the People have proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and will render an appropriated verdict. You may also retain the services of an attorney.
You may change your plea to GUILTY as charged and the court will set the sentence and notify you of the penalty, if any, by mail. To modify your plea to guilty you must write a letter and notify the court that you wish to alter your pleas to Guilty as Charged. You must include the date and your signature. You do not have to appear in court to change your plea to guilty as charged. By pleading “Guilty” you waive your right to a trial at which the People of the State of New York, represented by the prosecution, must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the offense alleged in the accusatory instrument. A plea of guilty to this charge is equivalent to a conviction after trial. If you are convicted, not only will you be liable to a penalty, but in addition your license to drive a motor vehicle, and your certificate of registration, if any, are subject to suspension and revocation as prescribed by law. A plea of guilty on the original charge will subject you to sentencing, by the judge presiding, to any legally authorized sentence. You may withdraw, with the court’s permission, your plea of guilty at any time prior to sentencing and exercise your right to a trial.
You may visit the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s website at www.co.chautauqua.ny.us/164/District-Attorney (Quick Links-Ticket Plea) to see if you meet the requirements set forth by his office for a possible PLEA REDUCTION AGREEMENT TO AN ALTERNATE OFFENSE. You must complete all of the plea procedure requirements listed online and submit your paper work to the Town of Dunkirk Court, 4737 Willow Rd., Dunkirk, NY 14048 prior to your scheduled trial date.
You may not have to appear in court if you meet the requirements of the District Attorney’s on-line plea policy. Any proposed agreement is subject to approval by the court. Upon plea of guilty to the agreed-upon alternate offense, you will be subject to sentencing, by the judge presiding, to any sentence legally authorized to be imposed for the offense to which you plead guilty.
Please contact the court clerk between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday through Friday at 716-366-3945 with any questions you may have regarding this informational form.
Misdemeanors and Felonies are heard the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month (except holidays).
For more information regarding small claims cases go to http://nycourts.gov/CourtHelp/pdfs/SmallClaimsHandbook.pdf
For more information regarding evictions go to http://nycourts.gov/CourtHelp/Homes/evictions.shtml
You may continue to plead NOT GUILTY and proceed to trial on the date specified on the front side of this letter. You are required to appear in court on this date and time and be prepared for a trial. By pleading “Not Guilty” you exercise your right to a public trial at which the People of the State of New York, represented by the prosecution, must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you have committed the offense alleged in the accusatory instrument. At the trial you will be sworn in, have the right to hear, see and challenge the evidence submitted to prove your guilt, including, confronting, by cross-examination, the Police Officer, Peace Officer or other witness or witnesses who testify against you. You also have the right to have a witness testify, under oath, on your behalf. You may, but not required to, testify on your own behalf. The court will determine, after hearing all the evidence submitted at the trial, whether or not the People have proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and will render an appropriated verdict. You may also retain the services of an attorney.
You may change your plea to GUILTY as charged and the court will set the sentence and notify you of the penalty, if any, by mail. To modify your plea to guilty you must write a letter and notify the court that you wish to alter your pleas to Guilty as Charged. You must include the date and your signature. You do not have to appear in court to change your plea to guilty as charged. By pleading “Guilty” you waive your right to a trial at which the People of the State of New York, represented by the prosecution, must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the offense alleged in the accusatory instrument. A plea of guilty to this charge is equivalent to a conviction after trial. If you are convicted, not only will you be liable to a penalty, but in addition your license to drive a motor vehicle, and your certificate of registration, if any, are subject to suspension and revocation as prescribed by law. A plea of guilty on the original charge will subject you to sentencing, by the judge presiding, to any legally authorized sentence. You may withdraw, with the court’s permission, your plea of guilty at any time prior to sentencing and exercise your right to a trial.
You may visit the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s website at www.co.chautauqua.ny.us/164/District-Attorney (Quick Links-Ticket Plea) to see if you meet the requirements set forth by his office for a possible PLEA REDUCTION AGREEMENT TO AN ALTERNATE OFFENSE. You must complete all of the plea procedure requirements listed online and submit your paper work to the Town of Dunkirk Court, 4737 Willow Rd., Dunkirk, NY 14048 prior to your scheduled trial date.
You may not have to appear in court if you meet the requirements of the District Attorney’s on-line plea policy. Any proposed agreement is subject to approval by the court. Upon plea of guilty to the agreed-upon alternate offense, you will be subject to sentencing, by the judge presiding, to any sentence legally authorized to be imposed for the offense to which you plead guilty.
Please contact the court clerk between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday through Friday at 716-366-3945 with any questions you may have regarding this informational form.
Misdemeanors and Felonies are heard the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month (except holidays).
For more information regarding small claims cases go to http://nycourts.gov/CourtHelp/pdfs/SmallClaimsHandbook.pdf
For more information regarding evictions go to http://nycourts.gov/CourtHelp/Homes/evictions.shtml