Phone: (716) 652-3260
ext. 8
Fax: (716) 805-1264
Town Justice Joseph A. Sakowski
Court Clerk: Deborah A. Sanfilippo
Town Justice Robert J. Pierce
Court Clerk: Donna Dimitroff
PT Clerk: Tara Grambo
Town Prosecutor: Rosemary L. Bapst
Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday thru Friday
Fine Payments & Small Claim Filings Accepted
8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Monday thru Friday
Payments may be made by cash, money order, master card, or visa. Checks are not accepted.
COURT SCHEDULE
Criminal Court (Misdemeanor Charges)
| Judge Pierce |
1 st Tuesday of Month |
7:00 PM |
| Judge Sakowski |
4 th Monday of Month |
7:00 PM |
Small Claims Hearings
| Judge Pierce |
4 th Tuesday of Month |
7:00 PM |
| Judge Sakowski |
4 th Thursday of Month |
7:00 PM |
Vehicle & Traffic Violations, Town Codes, Penal Law Violations
Judge Pierce |
1 st Thursday of Month |
6:30 PM |
|
3 rd Thursday of Month |
6:30 PM |
Judge Sakowski |
1 st Monday of Month |
6:30 PM |
|
2 nd Thursday of Month |
6:30 PM |
SMALL CLAIM FILINGS
Applications to file small claims are available at the Court Office. Small Claim proceedings may be brought by any individual against anyone who resides, owns a business, or works within the Town of Elma. The maximum claim allowed is $3,000.00. The filing fee is $10.00 if the amount you are suing for is $1,000.00 or less and $15.00 if you are suing for $1,001.00 -$3,000.00, and is payable upon the filing of the application.
PLEAS
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 mailing your ticket to the Court. Once the Court receives your plea, if you plead guilty, the Judge will assess your fine(s) and/or surcharge(s) and you will be sent a bill for your charges with instructions to make payment. If you plead not guilty, the Court will schedule you to come to Court to speak with the Town Prosecutor and will notify you by mail of your appearance date. Please note if you plead by mail, you DO NOT need to appear in Court on the date directed on your ticket. Please also note whether you plead guilty or not guilty, it may take from 6 - 8 weeks to receive a response from the Court.
Entering your plea by mail is allowed only when you are charged with a traffic VIOLATION. If you are charged with a MISDEMEANOR or FELONY, you must appear in person on the date directed on your ticket to enter your plea.
