Colin F. O'Donnell at a glance
- Current role
- County Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2032
Colin F. O'Donnell
County Court Judge · Nassau County County Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, County Court, 2024 to Present
- Acting Justice, Supreme Court, Nassau County, 2023 to Present
- Judge, Family Court, Nassau County, 2022 to 2023
- Judge, District Court, Nassau County, 2012 to 2022
- Judge O'Donnell began his judicial career when he was appointed to the Nassau County District Court in March 2012 and subsequently elected in November 2012, later being re-elected in 2018
- Nassau County DA Investigator's PBA, Inc., Counsel
- Kelly, Muraca & O'Donnell, Partner
- Also a partner in a general practice law firm, Special Counsel to the Town Supervisor, and Counsel to the Locust Valley Fire District and Nassau County DA Investigator's PBA
- He held the role of an Assistant District Attorney in Nassau County, Chief of the Bias Crime Unit, and Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York
Education
Additional information
- He currently serves on the Nassau County County Court, having been elected for a term from 2024 to 2032.
- In June 2022, he was appointed to the Nassau County Family Court by the Governor and elected to the same court in November 2022.
- Bachelor of Arts from Bucknell University in 1984, majoring in Economics and Political Science, and his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1987, where he served on the Moot Court Board and directed the Juvenile Justice Clinic.
- Special Investigations Bureau, Chief Bias Crime Bureau
- Before joining the bench, Judge O'Donnell had a distinguished career in both public and private sectors.
- He has prosecuted cases involving bribery, corruption, and official misconduct in both state and federal courts
- U.S. Department of Justice Award for Public Service, Special Assistant United States Attorney - EDNY
- He is admitted to practice in New York State courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- He has presided over DWI/DWAI Part 7 trials, Legal Aid & IAS Criminal Litigation Courts, and Family Law matters, and has held the role of President of the Nassau County District Court Judges Association and a member of the NYS Unified Court System Social Media Task Force
- Judge O'Donnell has been designated “Well Qualified” by the Nassau County Bar Association and has received endorsements from law enforcement and various labor unions.
- He has also contributed as a lecturer for the Nassau County Bar Association, a faculty member at the National Advocacy Center, and a commentator for Court TV
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms.
Taking photographs, films or videotapes, or audiotaping, broadcasting or telecasting, in a courthouse including any courtroom, office or hallway thereof, at any time or on any occasion, whether or not the court is in session, is forbidden, unless permission of the Chief Administrator of the Courts or a designee of the Chief Administrator is first obtainedPart 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗
Exhibits
Statewide
The official Guide to New York Evidence identifies court control over presentation of evidence as a statewide evidence topic; counsel should expect the assigned judge to control the mode and order of proof.
1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCEGuide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗
Statewide
In New York Supreme Court and County Court civil cases, the court may require indexed trial exhibit binders, notebooks, or electronic equivalents for the court, counsel, and witnesses.
The court may direct that on the first day of trial or at such other time as the court may set, counsel shall submit an indexed binder or notebook, or the electronic equivalent, of trial exhibits for the court's use.Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗
Statewide
Civil trial counsel in New York Supreme Court and County Court must confer before trial and attempt to agree on exhibits to be offered without objection, unless the court directs otherwise.
Counsel for the parties shall consult prior to trial and shall in good faith attempt to agree upon the exhibits that will be offered into evidence without objection.Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
For New York criminal proceedings, virtual and hybrid appearances are governed by Part 200 consent, objection, public-access, and calendar-update requirements.
For all hybrid proceedings, all electronic appearances shall be projected in the physical courtroom in which the in-person portion of the proceeding is taking place in such a manner as to provide a reasonable opportunity for members of the public to view and hear the participants appearing electronically.Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Nassau County County Court
State criminal proceedings only; section-specific court and case exceptions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-2722 NYCRR Part 202 — Uniform Civil Rules Supreme Court And County Court
Nassau County County Court
Civil actions and proceedings only; section-specific and specialized-part restrictions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Nassau County County Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Nassau County County Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster ↗Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction ↗