---
title: "Debra J. Gelson | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/debra-j-gelson"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Debra J. Gelson

Broome County City Court · City Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Broome County City Court
- State: New York
- Role: City 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, Binghamton City Court, Elected, 2024 to 2033
- Broome County District Attorney, Bureau Chief Financial Crimes, 2020 to 2024
- Tully Rinckey, LLC, Trial Attorney, 2017 to 2020
- Law Office of Debra Casadonte Gelson, Esq., Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, 1992 to 2017
- Municipal Court Judge, Millstone, Roosevelt and Farmingdale, New Jersey, Appointed, 2001 to 2011
- Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, Director of Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit, 1984 to 1989

### Education

- University of Toledo College of Law — J.D. (1983)
- University of Rochester — B.A. (1980)

### Additional information

- Civil Commitment Judge, Trenton Psychiatric Hospitals, Trenton, New Jersey, Appointed, 2004 to 2011

## 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

### 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

### justice court civil procedure

Scope: statewide

New York Part 214 applies statewide to civil actions and proceedings in Town, Village, and City Justice Courts outside New York City; each court establishes and posts its regular sessions, subject to modification by the Chief Administrator.

Evidence excerpt: This Part shall be applicable to all actions and proceedings in the Town, Village and City Justice Courts of the State of New York, outside the City of New York.

[Part 214: Uniform Civil Rules for the Justice Courts](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-214-uniform-civil-rules-justice-courts)
Source checked: 2026-07-27


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=N9CjeRQ0Ci68T7r_PLUS_RSUcuw%3D%3D)
- [Official roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=N9CjeRQ0Ci68T7r_PLUS_RSUcuw%3D%3D)
- [New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=N9CjeRQ0Ci68T7r_PLUS_RSUcuw%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 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-200-uniform-rules-courts-exercising-criminal-jurisdiction)
- [Part 214: Uniform Civil Rules for the Justice Courts](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-214-uniform-civil-rules-justice-courts)
- [Judicial Directory: Hon. Debra J. Gelson](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=N9CjeRQ0Ci68T7r_PLUS_RSUcuw%3D%3D)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/ny-shared-set-5e0f997e8c334d15fbc4) — State criminal proceedings only; section-specific court and case exceptions remain applicable. [Official source](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-200-uniform-rules-courts-exercising-criminal-jurisdiction). Collected 2026-10-27.
- [22 NYCRR Part 210 — Uniform Civil Rules City Courts Outside City New York](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/ny-shared-set-f979bc267acf4bd3f61f) — Civil actions and proceedings only; section-specific and specialized-part restrictions remain applicable. [Official source](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-210-uniform-civil-rules-city-courts-outside-city-new-york). 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.
