LIBRARY RESOURCES FOR THE PUBLIC PROGRAM
Providing Help for the Public in the Suffolk County Courts

How We Can Serve You:

The Library Resources for the Public Program is available to provide free general information about court procedural steps. The Program can provide you with information on which court may hear your case, the usual steps taken in your type of case, and sample court forms. Located inside the Supreme Court Law Library, in both Central Islip and Riverhead, the public has available for their use computers with internet access and printers, as well as personnel who can assist you and provide legal resources for researching your case. The Library Resources for the Public Program is currently a walk-in service, however, appointments are preferred and may be scheduled by calling the appropriate offices listed below.

The Library Resources for the Public Program:

• CAN help you with procedural steps
• CAN assist you with legal research
• CAN provide resources for your research
• CAN provide sample court forms
• CAN advise you as to where you may go to apply for free legal services
• CAN refer you to other free and local organizations who may be able to assist you

It is important to note that this program is run by the court system. The courts and those working for the courts are neutral parties and can never take sides in any case or potential case. Therefore, the Library Resources for the Public Program:

• CANNOT give you legal advice on a case
• CANNOT tell you if you should file a case, or what you should do in your case
• CANNOT tell you what to say in court documents or in court proceedings
• CANNOT tell you what the probability is of you winning or losing your case
• CANNOT fill out court forms for you
• CANNOT recommend an attorney

Many of the forms available at the Library Resources for the Public Program are available online at www.nycourthelp.gov/forms.html

***PLEASE BE AWARE, if you are currently involved in litigation or are looking to begin a lawsuit it is highly recommended that you HIRE A LAWYER. Attorneys can provide personalized legal assistance tailored to the needs of your specific set of facts and circumstances. The Library Resources for the Public Program should not and cannot replace the services of an attorney. The Program also cannot offer the legal protection of confidentiality that is recognized between an attorney and a client.

***IF YOU CURRENTLY HAVE AN ATTORNEY the Library Resources for the Public Program cannot assist you, even if you are considering leaving your lawyer. All questions regarding your case should be directed to your attorney while you are being represented. You may, however, have access to the Library computers, printers, and research materials.

Library Resources for the Public Program Locations:

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

Self-Help Websites:
• www.nycourthelp.gov/forms.html - Online help for those not represented by an attorney.

Domestic Violence Resources:
• www.sccadv.org - Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence
24-hour Hotline: (631)666-8833

• www.vibs.org - Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (VIBS)
24-hour Hotline: (631) 360-3606

• www.theretreatinc.org - The Retreat- Domestic Violence Services
24-hour Hotline: (631) 329-2200

• www.brightertomorrowsinc.org - Brighter Tomorrows-Domestic Violence
Hotline: (631) 395-3116

• www.nycourts.gov/ip/womeninthecourts/safety&support.pdf - New York State Domestic Violence Resource

Family Resources:
• www.nycourts.gov/kiosk/fs.htm - Child Support Enforcement Information

• www.nycourts.gov/courts/10jd/suffolk/familyquestions.shtml - Suffolk County Family Court Questions

Suffolk County Departments:
• www.co.suffolk.ny.us/departments.aspx - Suffolk County Department links

Senior Citizen Resources:
• www.aging.ny.gov - NYS Office for the Aging

• www.co.suffolk.ny.us/departments/CountyExec/aging.aspx - Suffolk County Office for the Aging

Attorney Referral Resources:
• www.scba.org - Suffolk County Bar Association

• www.nslawservices.org/probono.shtml - Nassau/Suffolk Law Services- Pro Bono Project

• http://suffolk18b.org/index.html - An 18B lawyer is one who is provided for you by the state if you are a defendant in a criminal case and are financially unable to pay. This website will show you how to qualify.

Law Guardian Information:
• www.nycourts.gov/ip/gfs - Law Guardian and Fiduciary Services

Mediation Services:
• www.nycourts.gov/ip/adr - Alternative Dispute Resolution

Information for those with Disabilities:
• www.nycourts.gov/accessibility - Access to the Courts for those with Disabilities

Veterans’ Resources:
•veterans.ny.gov/- NYS Division of Veterans’ Affairs

• www.co.suffolk.ny.us/departments.aspx - Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency (Human Services Division)

Research Resources:
• wwwnycourts.gov/apps/chrs - Criminal History Record Search (Fee Required)

• http://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcivil/FCASMain - Free case tracking information.

• www.nycourts.gov/reporter - New York State Law Reporting Bureau

• http://www.nycourts.gov/admin/publicaffairs/resourcelibrary.shtml - Educational Resources

DIRECTIONS TO THE LAW LIBRARIES:

Supreme Court Law Library/Riverhead
Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex
220 Center Drive, 1st Floor
Riverhead, NY 11901

Long Island Expressway Eastbound:
LIE Exit 71 - make right onto Route 24 from exit road; proceed a few miles until you see signs on the right side of the road to the Criminal Courts Building; bear to your right after the Suffolk County Correctional Facility and make the first right onto Center Drive. The Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex is located behind the County Center and will be on the right side of the road.

Sunrise Highway Eastbound:
Exit 61 North - proceed on County Route 51 for approximately 7 miles; the Criminal Courts Building is located on the left behind the County Center.

- Please Note: Upon entering the building you will pass through metal detectors in the Criminal Courts building lobby; once you exit the magnetometers turn to your right and go around the staircase, the entrance to the Supreme Court Library will be directly behind the staircase.

Supreme Court Law Library/Central Islip
John P. Cohalan, Jr. Courthouse
400 Carleton Avenue, 4th Floor
Central Islip, NY 11722

LIE Eastbound or Westbound:
Exit 56 South - Long Island Expressway (Route 111); proceed approximately one block; bear left at fork onto Wheeler Road; continue south on Wheeler Road, you will cross over Suffolk Avenue; at this point, at the railroad tracks, Wheeler Road becomes Carleton Avenue; continue on Carleton Avenue (approximately 6 miles) and follow the signs to the Cohalan Court Complex; at the traffic light make a left onto Courthouse Drive; then make the second right into the Cohalan Court Complex parking lot.

LIE to Sagtikos Parkway South
Take Sagtikos Parkway to Southern State Parkway East (you will bear left at the fork in the road) and follow the directions for Southern State Parkway Eastbound.

Southern State Parkway (Eastbound):
Southern State Parkway to Exit 43A - Carleton Avenue; exit Parkway bearing to your right off exit ramp which loops onto Carleton Avenue; at the 2nd traffic light make right onto Courthouse Drive; then make second right into the Cohalan Court Complex parking lot.

Sunrise Highway (Westbound):
Take Sunrise Highway westbound; (after the Oakdale merge) bear right at the fork on Sunrise Highway to Exit 46 Southern State Parkway West/Heckscher Parkway West (follow the signs for Courts) to Exit 43A - Carleton Avenue; exit (stay in right lane) and proceed North crossing over Spur Drive North onto Eastview Drive (Federal Plaza will be on the left); make the first left into the Court Complex and make the first right into the Cohalan Court Complex parking lot.

OR after exiting the parkway at 43A you may turn left onto Spur Drive North (Federal Plaza will be on the right) to the traffic light at Carleton Avenue; make a right on Carleton Avenue to the next traffic light; make a right onto Courthouse Drive and the second right into the Cohalan Court Complex parking lot.

-Please Note: Upon entering the Supreme Court Building, and after you pass through the metal detectors in the lobby, turn to your left and walk towards and through the double glass doors, then take the elevator on your left to the fourth floor. Upon exiting the elevators, the Supreme Court Library is located to the left.

PUBLIC LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICES:
The New York State Bar Association and the Suffolk County Bar Association have lawyer referral services that can connect you with an attorney in your area:

New York State Bar Association - Lawyer Referral Service
1 Elk Street
Albany, NY 12207 (800) 342-3661

Suffolk County Bar Association - Lawyer Referral Service
560 Wheeler Road
Hauppauge, New York 11788 (631) 234-5577

Nassau/Suffolk Law Services - Suffolk County
Islandia Office (serves Suffolk County West of Route 112)
1757 Veterans Highway - Suite 50
Islandia, NY 11749 (631) 232-2400

Riverhead Office (serves Suffolk County East of Route 112)
313 West Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901-2480 (631) 369-1112

Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County - Senior Citizen Division
(For those 60 or older and reside in Suffolk County - Civil Actions Only)
5 Shore Lane, 1st Floor
Bay Shore, NY 11706 (631) 854-0401