Town Justice:  Honorable Richard J. Croughan

Town Justice:  Honorable Stephen R. Hunter

Senior Court Clerk:  Carin Szkodzinsky

The Court Clerk’s Office is open Monday – Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm

VEHICLE & TRAFFIC COURT

• HELD THE 2^ND AND 4^TH MONDAY AT 1:00PM (excluding holidays)

CRIMINAL COURT

• HELD THE 1^ST AND 3^RD MONDAY AT 1:00PM (excluding holidays)

SMALL CLAIMS, SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS AND CIVIL ACTIONS

• HELD THE 2^ND AND 4^TH MONDAY AT 1:00PM

(excluding holidays.  Contact the Court Clerk)

Answering TRAFFIC Tickets:

BY MAIL: 

• To answer a traffic ticket (other than Misdemeanor) by mail, follow the directions on the ticket. 
• Misdemeanor charges MUST be answered in person.
• Section “A” is for a plea of GUILTY.  The court will then notify you by mail of the fine and surcharge.  Please make sure your name and correct mailing address is filled out.  Mail the ticket to the court address above.

• Section “B” is for a plea of NOT GUILTY.  Upon entering a plea of not guilty, the court will send you by US Mail a notice of “Appearance/Pre-Trial Conference”.  This is a conference with the Town Prosecutor to attempt to reach a disposition.

• If no disposition can be agreed upon, then a trial date will be set.

• You are entitled to an Attorney at every stage of the proceedings.

FAILURE TO APPEAR AT THE “APPEARANCE/PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE” MAY RESULT IN THE SUSPENSION OF YOUR DRIVING PRIVILEGES.

IN PERSON:

• Traffic tickets may be dropped off during regular business hours at the court address or in the Court’s after hours drop box. 

SMALL CLAIMS:

• To file a claim in the small claims part, you must first make sure that the court has jurisdiction over the defendant (the person you are seeking damages from) that person must live or conduct business within the Town of Palm Tree. 
• The claim limit is $3,000.00 or less.
• To commence a small claim, you must file a complaint using a specific form.  The court has this form you must use. 
• You must file the form in person at the court.

Filing fees for small claims are:

• $10.00 for claims up to $1,000.00. 
• $15.00 for claims $1,001.00 to $3,000.00 

ALL PERSONS, PACKAGES AND BAGS ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH UPON ENTERING THE COURTROOM.  OTHER PROHIBITED ITEMS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• NO WEAPONS of any type
• NO CUTTING instruments of any type – includes knives, scissors, or anything with a cutting edge, etc.
• NO Tools of any type
• NO Aerosol sprays or containers – includes mace, pepper spray, hairspray, shaving cream, etc.
• NO Photographic or audio-visual equipment of any type – includes cameras, video or audio recorders or players.
• NO Electronic device or equipment of any type – includes personal assistant devices (PDAs), Palm, Notepads, Blackberrys, pagers, IPODS or Walkmans (or any equivalent MP3 or CD players or recorders); radios or cassette players or recorders or hand-held or key-ring games; computers; video games as well as video games of any type.
• NO Food or Drink

PROPER ATTIRE IN COURT IS REQUIRED.  No shorts, tank tops, flip flops, etc.

Cellphones will be allowed in the courtroom if they are POWERED OFF.  Failure to power off your cellphone will result in your removal from the courtroom. 

DO NOT PAY ONLINE IF YOUR LICENSE IS SUSPENDED
OR THERE IS A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST

PAY ONLINE: All major credit/debit cards are accepted.

Fines for Judge Croughan: Click to Pay

Fines for Judge Hunter: Click to Pay

Or by calling AllPaid direct at (888) 604-7888. 

A service fee of 3.75% is charged for debit/credit transactions.  Neither the Court nor the Town of Palm Tree receives the fee.