Cattaraugus County
Before its establishment in 1817, Cattaraugus County was home to various tribes, including the now-extinct Wenrohronon tribe and the Seneca people. The county's name is derived from the Seneca word "Kadark" or "Cataroghu," which means "bad-smelling banks." This name was about the natural gas leaks from rock seams in the area. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the county's population stood at 77,042, reflecting a 4.1% decrease from 2010. The population decline was primarily attributed to the economic challenges faced by the region during the decade.
Cattaraugus County's judicial system includes a variety of courts such as the Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court, Surrogate's Court, City Courts, and several Town and Village Courts. The Supreme Court is located in Little Valley. This court handles civil and criminal cases such as felonies, civil claims over $25,000, and matters such as divorce, annulment, tax assessments, and complex commercial disputes. It also addresses domestic violence matters within divorce or legal separation cases. The County Court manages civil claims under $25,000, evictions, foreclosures, felonies, misdemeanors, and real estate cases. The Family Court oversees juvenile matters. It also oversees child custody, support, and protection cases, as well as domestic relations cases. The Surrogate's Court handles probate matters like guardianships and wills. The City Courts hear foreclosures under $15,000, housing violations, and civil claims under $5,000. It also has jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases and felony hearings. Lastly, the Town and Village Courts hear local ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and small claims under $3,000.
Public court records are official documents that provide detailed information on legal proceedings of cases heard within the county. These records include case filings, court orders, judgments, case transcripts, and records of evidence presented during cases. Access to these records is governed by the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). This law ensures public access to records, with some confidentiality restrictions. The Cattaraugus County Court Clerk is the official responsible for maintaining, updating, and keeping these records. The public court records are categorized by case type and include:
- Adult criminal records
- Civil records
- Family records
- Property records
- Probate records
The clerk's office also serves as a primary access point for court records. Interested individuals may obtain these records by either mailing a request to the clerk's office or visiting in person at:
303 Court Street,
Little Valley,
New York 14755
Phone: (716) 938-2599
Additionally, interested individuals can search for the records using the online record search portal maintained by the clerk's office. To use the search portal, requesters must create an account and select a subscription plan.
Typically, obtaining a court record in Cattaraugus County costs 50 cents per page with a $1 minimum fee. If the requester desires a certified copy of the public record, then a $5 fee will apply for the first page and an additional $1 for each subsequent page.
