Town Justice: Jerry A. LaPorte
Eason Hall
23 Elm Street
Westfield, NY 14787
Julie Martin, Court Clerk: westfieldtowncourt@nycourts.gov; jmmartin@nycourts.gov
Ph: (716) 326-6255
Fax: (716) 280-6489
Lindsey Jaynes, Deputy Court Clerk: westfieldtowncourt@nycourts.gov;
CANADIAN DEFENDANTS: WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A POSTAL STRIKE. PLEASE RETURN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COURT BY EMAIL OR FAX. PLEASE DO NOT SEND DOCUMENTS VIA FEDEX.
Traffic Court
If you received a traffic ticket you should plan to either appear in court on your appearance date or complete the right hand side of your ticket and return your plea to the court by mail before your appearance date by email, fax or postal mail.
Options for handling a traffic ticket (does not apply to misdemeanors, those must be handled in person):
- Section A: Plea of Guilty, fill in & return to court. A fine and mandatory state surcharge will be assessed and a fine notice will be mailed to you. By pleading "Guilty" you waive your right to a trial at which the People of the State of New York, represented by the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the alleged offense. A plea of guilty will subject you to sentencing by the presiding judge to any legally authorized sentence. You may withdraw, with the court's permission, your plea of guilty at any time prior to sentencing and exercise your right to a trial. \b1 If you return your guilty plea by mail, it is not necessary to appear in court.
- Section B: Plea of Not-Guilty, fill in & return to court by email, fax or postal mail. A pretrial conference will be scheduled with the Assistant District Attorney of Chautauqua County.By pleading "Not Guilty" you exercise your right to a public trial at which the People of the State of New York, represented by the prosecution, must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you have committed the alleged offense. At the trial, you will have the right to hear, see and challenge the evidence submitted to prove your guilt, including confronting by cross-examination the Police Officer or other witnesses who testify against you. You have the right to have witnesses testify on your behalf and you may, but you are not required to testify on your own behalf. The court will determine, after hearing all of the evidence submitted at trial, whether or not the People have proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and will render an appropriate verdict.
- Communicate with the Appropriate Prosecutorial Office Concerning an Alternative Disposition. You may contact the Chautauqua County District Attorney's office as they are responsible for proving the charge or charges against you and negotiate an agreement to plead guilty to a legally authorized alternate offense, including a lesser included offense, or a less severe offense or offenses. Any proposed agreement is subject to approval by the court. Upon a plea of guilty to the agreed-upon offense, you will be subject to sentencing by the presiding judge to any sentence legally authorized to be imposed for the offense to which you plead guilty. The prosecutorial office responsible to prove the charge or charges against you alleged in the accusatory instrument is the Chautauqua County District Attorney. You may visit their website to review their Traffic Ticket Plea Program options at https://chautauquacountyny.gov/trafficticket
Criminal Court
You will be notified by the court when you are to appear. If you are unsure contact your attorney or the court clerk for confirmation. If you require the services of the Public Defender's Office please call (716) 363-3793 for a telephone interview. If you were given a fingerprint order at the time of your arrest you must make sure you have completed this before your court date.
Online payments link: https://www.govpaynow.com/gps/user/cyg/plc/a00659
Civil Cases
Civil cases are scheduled as they are filed.
Small Claims
For more information regarding small claims cases, please refer to the New York State Unified Court System Guide to Small Claims in the NYS City, Town and Village Courts.
Form to file a small claims case in the Town of Westfield
Evictions
For more information regarding evictions, please refer to the New York State Unified Court System Evictions page.