--- title: "Colin F. O'Donnell | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/colin-f-o-donnell" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Colin F. O'Donnell Nassau County County Court · County Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Nassau County County Court - State: New York - Role: County Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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 ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### recording and photography Scope: statewide New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms. Evidence excerpt: 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 obtained [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### evidence presentation control Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE [Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role](https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/1-GENERAL/1-generalprovisions.shtml) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### trial exhibit books Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-202-uniform-civil-rules-supreme-court-and-county-court) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### exhibit marking Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-202-uniform-civil-rules-supreme-court-and-county-court) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### electronic appearances Scope: statewide For New York criminal proceedings, virtual and hybrid appearances are governed by Part 200 consent, objection, public-access, and calendar-update requirements. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-200-uniform-rules-courts-exercising-criminal-jurisdiction) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=jvZuwIpXLfCK38pms6GOkQ%3D%3D) - [Official roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=jvZuwIpXLfCK38pms6GOkQ%3D%3D) - [New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=jvZuwIpXLfCK38pms6GOkQ%3D%3D) - [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true) - [Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role](https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/1-GENERAL/1-generalprovisions.shtml) - [Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-202-uniform-civil-rules-supreme-court-and-county-court) - [Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-200-uniform-rules-courts-exercising-criminal-jurisdiction) - [Judicial Directory: Hon. Colin F. O'Donnell](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=jvZuwIpXLfCK38pms6GOkQ%3D%3D) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/colin-f-o-donnell", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/colin-f-o-donnell", "name": "Colin F. O'Donnell | KnowJudges", "description": "Colin F. O'Donnell, Nassau County County Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/colin-f-o-donnell#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/colin-f-o-donnell#judge", "name": "Colin F. 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Collected 2026-10-27. - [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-99a7824bb8e009643f842c03) — 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](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-34fe480ab82f22fa3c31d257) — 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](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true). Collected 2026-07-26.