Court – Town of Gaines

Gaines Town Justice Court

Hours & Information

Phone: (585)589-4592 x11
Fax: (585)371-3968
Email: GainesTownCourt@nycourts.gov

Hon. Charles R. Prentice, Jr.: (585)589-4592 x11

Court Clerk Office Hours:

Tuesday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

How to make a payment

Fine Payments Are Accepted:

Tuesday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

MONEY ORDERS, BANK CERTIFIED CHECKS AND MASTERCARD/VISA ACCEPTED.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT PERSONAL CHECKS.
PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE IN US FUNDS.

Please make payable to Gaines Town Court.
Payments can be made after hours by dropping in the Court’s night drop box.

Obtain forms online here.

Pay Fees Online

Traffic Tickets

If you receive a traffic ticket and wish to enter your plea by mail, you can do so by filling in the appropriate plea section on your ticket and mail it to the Court.

If you plead GUILTY the Judge will assess your fine(s) and/or surcharge(s) and you will be sent a fine notice for your charges.

If you plead NOT GUILTY the Court will schedule you for a conference with the Town Prosecutor, you will be notified by mail of your appearance date. Please note if you mailed in your not guilty plea, you DO NOT need to appear in Court on the date initially indicated on your ticket.

If you do not want to enter a plea by mail, you MUST appear in Court on the date listed on the bottom of your summons. Upon arrival at Court, please check with security.

Suspended License

If you received notification from the NYS DMV regarding a suspension pending, you can appear on a Traffic Court session no less than 5 business days prior to the suspension going into effect.

If your license is currently suspended with the Gaines Town Court, you can appear when Traffic Court is in session to resolve the matter. Please note your license will remain suspended until you resolve the matter with the Court.

Adjournments

For any Criminal adjournments, requests MUST be in writting by the Attorney. Fax: (585)371-3968

Mail:
Town of Gaines Court
14087 Ridge Road
Albion, NY 14411

-> For any traffic adjournments (Violations only) you must mail in your plea to the Court for a rescheduled court date. If you have already mailed in your plea, you MUST speak with the Clerk regarding an adjournment. You may not leave a message requesting an adjournment, you MUST speak directly with the clerk. Your matter will not be adjourned unless the Clerk authorizes the adjournment.

Bail

Bail is required to ensure a defendant’s appearance on all Court dates until the case is closed. (For more information on bail see General Municipal Law 99-M).

Bail Bonds – Town Courts are not Courts of record therefore we DO NOT have the jurisdiction required to authorize the issuance of a bond. Please refer to a bail bondsman in the yellow pages for further direction. There is also a bond office in the Buffalo City Court.

Forfeited Bail – If a defendant fails to appear at his/her court date after bail has been posted, the Judge will issue a Warrant for the defendant’s arrest and order the forfeiture of bail.

Return Bail – Bail will not be returned until the case is disposed of (closed), bail is reduced, or defendant is released on their own recognizance. Upon bail return, per NYS Comptroller Audit & Control the Justice Court MUST return bail in the form of a check.

Bail for Fines – When bail has been posted by the defendant and has not been forfeited or assigned, the defendant can use his/her bail for fines.

For any questions regarding bail, please contact the Court.

Small Claims/Eviction/Civil

Small Claims filings are accepts at the Court Clerk’s Office.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Small Claim proceedings may be brought by any individual against anyone who resides or owns a business in the Town of Gaines.

The maximum claim allowed is $3,000.00

The filing fee is $10.00 if the amount you are suing for is between $1.00 – $1,000. and $15.00 if the amount is $1,001. – $3,000.

The filing fee is payable upon filing the application. The Court Clerk cannot accept an application without the filing fee.

Documents:

Small Claims Application – Please contact Court for information.
Small Claims Booklet
Online Forms & Information

2023 Justice Court Schedule – All sessions are held on Wednesdays

-> Criminal Matters are heard at 2:00 pm, 2nd Wednesday each month
-> VTL Matters are heard at 2:00 pm, 3rd Wednesday each month
-> *Summary Proceedings and Small Claims: Please contact the court directly for scheduling

-> Court Calendar is subject to change. Please contact us to verify Court is in session.