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Justice Court

Paul B. Phinney III, Town Justice

Richard G. Ramsay, Town Justice

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There are two Town Justices, one elected every two years for a four-year term, in the Town of Orangetown.  They are assisted by a court clerk, Eileen Lyman, an Assistant Court Clerk, four full-time clerks and one part-time clerk. The Justice Court has general jurisdiction over criminal, civil, and vehicle and traffic within the Town. Civil jurisdiction is limited to matters up to $3000 where the Plaintiff or Defendant lives, has a place of business or works in Orangetown and the other party may be served in the County of Rockland.  There is a Small Claims part of the Court - with jurisdiction up to $3000.00.  However, jurisdiction is based upon the Defendant living, working or maintaining a place of business in Orangetown.

The two Town Justices, Paul B. Phinney III and Richard G. Ramsay.

Paul B. Phinney III has served as Town Justice since 1985.  He received his Doctor of Law Degree from Cornell Law School.  Prior to entering law, he served as a Captain in the United States Air Force and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters for his over 119 combat missions in Southeast Asia.  He previously served two terms as South Nyack Village Trustee.

Richard G. Ramsay is a 40-year resident of the Town of Orangetown. Justice Ramsay and his wife of 43 years, Virginia, have four grown children.  He is a graduate of St. John's University School of Law, has practiced law for over 30 years and became a Town Justice in 1995.  Justice Ramsay has been active in community affairs and has served as president of the Tappan Library, as a member of the Orangetown Historic Area Board of Review, a member of the Nyack Hospital Corporation, Junior Achievement of Rockland County and is currently on the board of the Rockland Cemetery.

Traffic violations may be paid from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the Justice Court, located in Town Hall on 26 Orangeburg Road, New York, or through the mail.