Facing Charges in Orangetown Justice Court? Here's What You Need to Know

The Town of Orangetown Justice Court sits at 26 W. Orangeburg Road inside Orangetown Town Hall — the seat of the first town ever formed in Rockland County, a community that stretches from the New Jersey border to the Hudson River. The court has jurisdiction over the unincorporated hamlets of Blauvelt, Orangeburg, Pearl River, Sparkill, Palisades, Tappan, and South Nyack. Criminal and traffic cases are heard on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The court clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; fines must be paid by 4:15 p.m. in person. Court Clerk Lisa Hastings can be reached at (845) 359-5100 ext. 2272. Important: Since April 1, 2022, all matters formerly handled by South Nyack Village Court have been transferred to and are now heard at Orangetown Justice Court.

The Orangetown Justice Court has two sitting Town Justices. Hon. Richard C. Finning is a Town Justice with extensive experience on the Orangetown bench. Hon. Patrick J. Loftus is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross (1987) and Washington & Lee University School of Law (1990). Before joining the bench, Judge Loftus served as a Senior Assistant District Attorney for Rockland County and later as Deputy Town Attorney for the Town of Orangetown. His background on both sides of the criminal justice process — as prosecutor and town attorney — means defendants appearing before him should expect a judge who understands the nuances of criminal cases with precision.

Orangetown Justice Court handles misdemeanor criminal offenses and conducts arraignments and preliminary hearings for all felonies originating within the town's jurisdiction. The court sees a high volume of Vehicle and Traffic violations — particularly DWI and drug arrests originating from the Palisades Interstate Parkway. Also handled: landlord-tenant proceedings, Small Claims up to $3,000, Town Code enforcement violations, and civil matters within the court's jurisdiction. Law enforcement agencies making arrests in Orangetown include the Town of Orangetown Police Department, the New York State Police, the Rockland County Sheriff's Department, and the New York State Park Police.

The Palisades Interstate Parkway runs through the Town of Orangetown with a posted speed limit of 50 mph — one of the most actively enforced stretches of roadway in the region. The four exchanges within Orangetown (exits 5N, 5S, 6E, and 6W) see regular DWI arrests and drug stops by the New York State Police. This section of the Parkway is close to the New Jersey state line, making it a heavily traveled corridor for commuters and travelers — many of whom are stopped for violations they may not have anticipated. If you or a loved one was stopped or arrested on the Palisades Parkway within Orangetown's boundaries, your case belongs in this court. The prosecution of these matters — whether by the DA's Office, Town Attorney, or the arresting officer directly — varies depending on the agency involved, and understanding that distinction is part of effective defense.

As of April 1, 2022, the Village of South Nyack dissolved its Justice Court. All matters that would previously have been heard in South Nyack Village Court are now handled by Orangetown Justice Court. If you have a pending matter that was formerly in South Nyack Village Court, or if a ticket or summons you received references South Nyack, your court date is now at Orangetown Town Hall, 26 W. Orangeburg Road. Many defendants are not aware of this change — and showing up at the wrong location can have serious consequences for your case.

Yvonne Garbett appears regularly in Orangetown Justice Court. She understands the court's calendar structure, the distinction between how the DA's Office and individual officers prosecute different types of cases, and the particular approach that each judge brings to criminal matters and plea negotiations. For Palisades Parkway DWI cases specifically, she knows which procedural and constitutional challenges are most effective in this court — from the legality of the initial stop to the administration of sobriety testing on a divided highway. Every case is different, and the strategy begins with a thorough review of your specific facts.

The court is located at 26 W. Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY 10962 — inside Orangetown Town Hall. A parking lot is adjacent to the building; enter from Dutch Hill Road off Orangeburg Road. From the Palisades Interstate Parkway: take Exit 6E (Orangeburg Road), turn left at the traffic signal onto Orangeburg Road, then enter the parking lot from Dutch Hill Road on the left. From the New York State Thruway (I-87): take Exit 13S to the Palisades Parkway south, then Exit 6E as described above.