Orange County · Justice / Town Court
Tuxedo DWI & Criminal Defense Lawyer — Tuxedo Town Court
Orange County, directly bordering Rockland — heavy Thruway and Route 17 enforcement.
Do NOT confuse with Tuxedo Park Village Justice Court (80 Lorillard Road, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987, phone 845-351-4745) — these are two entirely separate courts in close geographic proximity.
Cases handled at Tuxedo Town Court
- All misdemeanors within the Town of Tuxedo borders
- Vehicle & Traffic violations (high volume — Route 17 and I-87 Thruway corridor)
- Original jurisdiction over all felony arraignments within Tuxedo
- Civil jurisdiction up to $3,000 (Small Claims)
- Landlord-Tenant (Summary Proceedings)
Common charges we handle at Tuxedo Town Court
Each guide sets out the statute, what the prosecutor must prove, the maximum penalties, and how this charge is handled in this courtroom.
What defendants should know about this court
- Tuxedo is in Orange County but directly borders Rockland County (Village of Sloatsburg) — defendants near this border may be confused about which county and court applies.
- NY State Thruway (I-87) and Route 17 pass directly through — both heavily patrolled by NYSP Troop T, generating significant DWI and speeding cases.
- Harriman State Park is nearby — NY State Park Police also active.
- Felony cases are arraigned here but eventually transferred to Orange County Court in Goshen for resolution.
- Tuxedo Town Court (1 Temple Drive) and Tuxedo Park Village Court (80 Lorillard Road) are two completely separate courts — clients must check their summons carefully.
- Yvonne Garbett handles cases in both Rockland and Orange County courts.
How your case moves through Tuxedo Town Court
Tuxedo Town Court runs on a short, heavily attended calendar Sessions are held wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. and thursdays at 4:00 p.m.. Misdemeanor and traffic cases are resolved before the town or village justice; felony charges are arraigned here and then move to the county court. The county District Attorney's Office brings the criminal cases, while the town attorney or the arresting officer usually prosecutes traffic tickets.
- 01
Arraignment — the first court appearance
Arraignment is usually within 24 hours of arrest. The charges are read, the court confirms your identity and counsel, and the judge sets bail or releases you on your own recognizance. In a justice, town or village court this is where a misdemeanor case is decided in practice: the plea offered on day one is often the best one you will see. Nothing is argued or proven at arraignment — but what you say and do not say can shape everything that follows, which is why an attorney should be there before it, not after.
- 02
Bail and release conditions
New York's bail statute starts with release on recognizance or unconditional release for most misdemeanor and non-violent felony charges. Cash bail, if it is set at all, must be the least restrictive condition that reasonably assures you come back. A court can also impose supervision, travel restrictions, or no-contact terms — and those terms bind you immediately, including the ones that keep you away from your own home. Getting the conditions right at the outset protects your job, your housing and your family.
- 03
Discovery and motions
The district attorney must turn over the evidence in the government's possession — police reports, body-worn camera and dash footage, 911 recordings, laboratory results, witness statements and identification records. Where that material was withheld or is misleading, the defense moves to dismiss or to suppress. In most misdemeanor cases this is the phase that decides the outcome: a successful suppression motion ends the case long before any jury is picked.
- 04
Pre-trial conferences
In a justice, town or village court, misdemeanor cases resolve through a series of short conference dates. Each one is a chance to push the case toward dismissal or a better plea, and each one is also a date you can miss, waive or get ahead of. Your presence is usually excused once counsel appears, so the case advances without you losing another day of work — but decisions about what to accept are always yours.
- 05
Plea or trial
At trial the prosecution must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. You do not have to prove anything and you cannot be made to testify. Because a jury trial in a justice court is usually a jury of six, and because a bench trial before the town or village justice is an option, the strategy is decided case by case. A misdemeanor trial in this courtroom is a real contest — and it is winnable when the papers and the witnesses do not line up.
- 06
Sentencing and after
A conviction can bring jail, a fine, probation, mandatory programs, and a permanent criminal record. Collateral consequences often outweigh the sentence itself — immigration status, professional and occupational licenses, security clearances, housing, and student financial aid. Before you accept anything, you should know exactly what the plea costs you later, not just what it costs you today.
If the charge is a felony, this court handles only the opening stage — arraignment, bail and the preliminary hearing. The case then goes to the grand jury, and if it is indicted it is prosecuted in county or supreme court, where different rules and much longer exposure apply.
About the Town of Tuxedo Justice Court
The Town of Tuxedo Justice Court is located at 1 Temple Drive, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987. The court office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Court sessions are held on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. The court can be reached at (845) 351-4411 ext. 3. Court clerks Catherine Flynn and Angelie Tomais staff the office. Online fine payment is available through the court's website. An important geographic note: Tuxedo is in Orange County, not Rockland — but it sits directly on the Rockland-Orange County border, adjacent to the Village of Sloatsburg. Many defendants stopped on the Thruway or Route 17 near this border are uncertain which county — and which court — applies to their case.
Tuxedo Town Court vs. Tuxedo Park Village Court — A Critical Distinction
This distinction trips up defendants and even some attorneys. The Town of Tuxedo and the Village of Tuxedo Park are two separate legal entities with two separate courts in close geographic proximity. Tuxedo Town Court is located at 1 Temple Drive and handles matters arising in the unincorporated areas of the Town of Tuxedo. Tuxedo Park Village Justice Court is a separate court located at 80 Lorillard Road, PO Box 31, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987 — phone (845) 351-4745. If your ticket or summons names "Town of Tuxedo," you belong at 1 Temple Drive. If it names "Village of Tuxedo Park," you belong at 80 Lorillard Road. These are different courts. Appearing at the wrong one can have serious consequences.
Types of Cases Handled
The court has jurisdiction over all misdemeanors arising within the Town of Tuxedo's borders, original jurisdiction over felony arraignments within the town, Vehicle and Traffic violations (the Thruway and Route 17 are the primary enforcement corridors), Small Claims up to $3,000, and Landlord-Tenant proceedings. Felony cases are arraigned here and then transferred to Orange County Court in Goshen for pre-trial proceedings, trial, and sentencing.
Route 17 & I-87 DWI and Traffic Arrests Near Tuxedo
The New York State Thruway (I-87) and Route 17 converge near Tuxedo, creating one of the most heavily trafficked and enforced corridors in the region. NYSP Troop T patrols the Thruway through this area consistently. Harriman State Park sits adjacent to the town, with NY State Park Police also active in the area. Speeding, DWI, and drug arrests on these roadways within Tuxedo's boundaries come to this court. The Orange-Rockland border in this area means that some stops — particularly on the Thruway — may be in either Tuxedo (Orange County) or Sloatsburg (Rockland County). Your ticket will specify the municipality; if you're unsure which court applies, call us immediately.
What Happens After Arraignment — The Path to Orange County Court
If you are charged with a felony in the Town of Tuxedo, your arraignment will take place here at Tuxedo Town Court. After arraignment and preliminary proceedings, your felony case will be transferred to Orange County Court at 285 Main Street in Goshen — approximately 20 miles away. The transition from local justice court to County Court is a critical juncture in a felony case, and having an attorney who practices in both courts ensures continuity of strategy and advocacy throughout the entire process.
Does Yvonne Garbett Handle Cases in Orange County?
Yes. Yvonne Garbett regularly represents clients in Orange County courts, including Tuxedo Town Court and Orange County Court in Goshen. Her practice covers both sides of the Rockland-Orange County line, making her a practical choice for defendants near the border — and for anyone facing felony charges that move from a local Orange County justice court to the County Court in Goshen.
Why local representation matters
Yvonne Garbett is a former Rockland County Assistant District Attorney from 2002–2006, admitted in 2002 with 24 years as an attorney and private defense practice since 2006. She regularly appears in Tuxedo Town Court and knows how this courtroom actually works — the calendar rhythm, the prosecutors, the judges' tendencies, and the practical steps that move a case forward. That familiarity is, in our experience, one of the most underrated advantages a defendant can have.
Parking & directions
Parking available at Town of Tuxedo Town Hall, 1 Temple Drive. Located near Harriman State Park border and I-87 Exit 15B (Tuxedo).
Frequently asked questions
Related practice areas
Aggressive, experienced defense for arrests, investigations, and serious charges in Rockland, Orange, and Westchester Counties.
Protecting your license, your record, and your livelihood after a DWI arrest — every detail of your stop matters.
Tickets, license suspensions, and DMV hearings — keep points off your record and your license in your pocket.