James F. Leonick at a glance
- Current role
- Family Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2031
James F. Leonick
Family Court Judge · Suffolk County Family Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Suffolk County 1st District Court, Elected, 2026 to 2031
- District Court Judge Suffolk County, 3rd District Court Appointed 2025 to 2025
- Licensed New York attorney and elected District Court Judge in Suffolk County, serving in the Third Judicial District
- District Court Judge serving in the Third Judicial District of the Suffolk County District Court System in New York
Education
- Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg law Center — J.D. (1988)
- A.A. — Suffolk County Community College — 1983
Additional information
- His appointment was confirmed by the County Legislature in 2025, and he is currently serving a term through 2031.
- B.A. — SUNY at Albany — 1985
- Based in Central Islip, NY, and handles cases within the District Court’s jurisdiction
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 205 — Uniform Rules Family Court
Suffolk County Family Court
Family Court proceedings
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Suffolk County Family 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
Suffolk County Family 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 ↗