Denise Cefalu

Court Clerk 

phone icon (716) 876-5536
fax icon (716) 876-0324

     

Office Hours

Monday, Thursday, Friday
9:00am - 4:30pm

Tuesday - Wednesday
9:00am - 7:00pm

map icon 1835 Sheridan Dr.
      Buffalo, NY  14223

Justice Court

Responsibilities
Justice Court handles criminal misdemeanors and vehicle and traffic violations as well as small claims and civil matters.

Applications for small claims and civil matters are accepted Tuesday and Friday between 9:00 am and 11:00 am.
 
Court
Judge Gruber holds criminal court on Thursday afternoons at 1:00 pm and vehicle and traffic court on Tuesdays at 5:00 pm. 

Judge Cavarello holds criminal court on Mondays at 9:00 am and vehicle and traffic court on Wednesdays at 5:00 pm. 

Small claims and civil cases are scheduled on a monthly basis. To verify a specific date, contact the court clerk at (716) 876-5536.

Important Phone Numbers

  • Court administrator: (716) 876-5536 ext. 3525
  • Parking tags and bail: (716) 876-5536 ext. 3528
  • Judge Cavarello's clerk: (716) 876-5536 ext. 3521
  • Judge Gruber's clerk: (716) 876-5536 ext. 3523
  • Small claims and civil matters: (716) 876-5536 ext. 3522
  • Certificate of disposition, trials and marriages: (716) 876-5536 ext. 3522

Court Forms
pdf Procedures for SC (52 KB)
pdf Credit Card by Mail Form (52 KB)
pdf Certificate of Disposition Request Form (50 KB)
pdf Application for Small Claims (51 KB)
pdf Plea Form (49 KB)

Justice Court Resources

Adjournments
Criminal Court

If you need to change a court date scheduled for a Monday or Wednesday evening, you may call Judge Cavarello's clerk at (716) 876-5536 ext. 521. Judge Cavarello's clerk is available Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. No adjournments are given while court is in session. 

If you need to change a court date scheduled for a Tuesday or Thursday, you may call Judge Gruber's clerk at (716) 876-5536 ext. 523. Judge Gruber's clerk is available Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. No adjournments are given while court is in session. 

Please note that the court clerk can not transfer cases from one judge to another.

Bail
Posting Bail

Bail is posted to assure the appearance of a defendant on each and every court date until the case is closed. The bail posted will not be refunded until that time. If the defendant is convicted, bail poundage of 3% may be deducted from the bail amount.

Bail Refunds

To make arrangements for a bail refund, you may call the court at (716) 876-5536 ext. 528, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Parking Tags
Unpaid Parking Tag Fines

The fine for unpaid parking tags will double after 10 days. The postmark will determine the payment date for fines which are mailed. 

If you wish to protest a parking tag fine, you must take your parking tag to the Town of Tonawanda Police Department and request an appearance ticket. The appearance ticket will provide you with a court date at which time you will appear and be given an opportunity to speak with the town prosecutor and judge.

Parking Tag fines can be paid online at www.paycourtonline.com or by phone at 1-888-912-1541.

Rules of the Courtroom

1. No weapons of any kind are allowed in the courtroom

2. All cell phones and pagers must be turned off.

3. No hats, backpacks, food or drinks are allowed in court.

4. Respectful behavior is required at all times. No reading, standing or sleeping while court is in session

5. Proper dress is required. No shorts are allowed.

6. No communicating with prisoners.

Small Claims Court
Applications and Information Booklets

Small claims applications and information booklets can be picked up at the Town Court records office Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Claims can be filed by mail, or in person on Wednesday or Friday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

Adjournments

Adjournments generally are not given for small claims cases. If you have an unusual circumstance, you may contact the small claims clerk at (716) 876-5536 ext. 3522 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Suspended Licenses
Suspended License Due to an Open Case

If your license is suspended due to open cases in the Town of Tonawanda, you should contact the judge's clerk for the procedure necessary to clear up the suspension. 

Judge Cavarello's clerk can be reached at (716) 876-5536 ext. 3521 and is available Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Judge Gruber's clerk can be reached at (716) 876-5536 ext. 3523 and is available Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Traffic School
How to Go to Traffic School

There are several options that may be appropriate for any given case. In order to discuss any plea negotiation, the defendant must appear on their court date and speak to the town prosecutor or district attorney and the judge. 

Appear on the court date given on your summons and read the posted lists in the hallway. The list will direct you to the appropriate office. Traffic school may or may not be one of the available options.

For more information, contact the clerk of the court at (716) 876-5536.

Traffic Tickets
Guilty Plea by Mail

If you wish to plead guilty to a traffic violation by mail, date and sign Part A of your summons and remit it to the court before the court date, which is printed on the front of your summons. Upon receipt, the court will notify you in writing of the fine due.

 
Not Guilty

If you wish to plead not guilty by mail, you must date and sign Part B of the summons. Upon receipt of your not guilty plea, the court will notify you in writing of your court date for arraignment. If you do not want to enter a plea by mail, you should appear in court on the date listed on the bottom of your summons. Upon arrival in the court there are lists posted in the hallway. Locate your name on the list and follow the directions on the top of the sheet. If you have any questions go to the cafeteria court window, where a clerk will assist you.

More Information

For more information, contact the clerk of the court at (716) 876-5536.
Warrants
Overview

If there is a warrant for your arrest in the Town of Tonawanda, you should contact the Town of Tonawanda Police Department at (716) 876-5300 to make arrangements to surrender on the warrant.