Joseph J. Spofford Jr. at a glance
- Current role
- Supreme Court Justice
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2029
Joseph J. Spofford Jr.
Supreme Court Justice · Putnam County Supreme Court
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Biography
Professional career
- Judge, County Court, Putnam County, Elected, 2020 to 2029
- Town Justice, Town Court, Carmel, 1999 to 2019
Education
- Pace Law School — J.D. (1986)
- Colgate University — B.A. (1983)
Additional information
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 Commercial Division matters, New York rules encourage Virtual Evidence Courtrooms for managing and presenting trial evidence after authorization by request or court direction.
Virtual Evidence Courtrooms (VECs) may be used to facilitate real-time access to trial exhibits and other relevant documents.Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits ↗
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
Judge and named-part rules
Published judge / part rules (51 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Communications with chambers
1. Method of Communication: All communications with the Court shall be made in writing. Counsel and parties shall limit telephone calls and email communications with Court staff to matters requiring immediate attention that cannot otherwise be addressed by written correspondence. Such communications shall be limited strictly to non-substantive, administrative matters and shall be directed only to the Court Secretary or Court Attorney.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
2. Requirements for Written Correspondence: All correspondence must be filed on the New York State Court Electronic Filing (NYSCEF) or with the Putnam County Clerk’s Office for non-e-file cases. All letters or written correspondence addressed to the Court must (1) be copied to all counsel and all pro se parties; (2) be transmitted to counsel by email whenever practicable; (3) contain the email addresses of all counsel of record; and (4) state the next scheduled appearance date. Any correspondence that fails to comply with these requirements may be disregarded and/or returned. Correspondence between attorneys and/or parties shall not be copied to the Court unless there exists a specific judicial purpose for doing so.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
3. Email Transmission of Letters: Letters to the Supreme Court, Family Court or County Court may be transmitted via email to VirtualPutnamMultiCourt@nycourts.gov only in matters where all parties are represented by counsel. All counsel must be copied on the email. Clients shall not be copied on any correspondence that includes Court staff. In matters pending before Judge Spofford, counsel shall direct the email to the attention of the Court Secretary or Court Attorney; however, the letter must still be filed with the appropriate Court Clerk through VirtualPutnamMultiCourt@nycourts.gov
Source page 1Communications with chambers
4. Surrogate’s Court Correspondence: All correspondence in Surrogate’s Court matters, including letters or emails to the Court and/or the Surrogate’s Court Clerk, shall: (1) be copied to all parties; (2) include the Surrogate’s File Number; and (3) be transmitted to the Surrogate’s Court Clerk.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
5. Filing of Papers; Facsimile Transmissions: Neither Chambers nor the Clerks of the Supreme Court, Family Court, County Court, or Surrogate’s Court shall accept faxed or emailed copies of papers that are required to be filed in original form with the appropriate Clerk’s Office. No facsimile transmission more than five (5) pages shall be sent without the prior approval of the Clerk’s Office.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
6. Substantive Communications: Communication with the Court concerning substantive issues by letter is strongly discouraged. Counsel and parties shall address substantive matters either: (1) at the next scheduled court appearance; or (2) by filing the appropriate motion or application with the Court. Litigation by correspondence shall not be permitted.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
7. Requests for Conferences: Requests for conferences with Chambers shall be limited to circumstances in which counsel and/or parties have made substantial, good-faith efforts to resolve the dispute but have been unsuccessful. Any written request for a conference must detail the efforts undertaken to resolve the issue and shall be sent only to VirtualPutnamMultiCourt@nycourts.gov
Source page 2Communications with chambers
8. Prohibition of Ex Parte Communications: Under no circumstances shall parties who are represented by counsel contact the Court directly. Ex parte communications are strictly prohibited, except: (1) Upon the consent of all counsel; (2) With respect to scheduling or administrative matters; or (3) In connection with the presentation of Orders to Show Cause for signature.
Source page 2Artificial intelligence
9. Use of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Preparing Court Papers: Every attorney or party who uses an artificial intelligence (AI) tool in preparing any paper submitted to this court is expected to understand that tool’s capabilities and limitations. Attorneys and parties need to be aware that AI tools, among other risks and limitations, can generate fabricated information or fictitious citations to authority (commonly known as hallucinations). Under existing authority, by signing a paper and submitting it to this court, an attorney or party certifies that the paper does not contain any false material factual statement or frivolous legal argument (see, e.g., 22 NYCRR 130-1.1, 130-1a), and an attorney who submits any paper to this court is additionally bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct. Accordingly, any attorney or party who uses an artificial intelligence tool, as defined in 22 NYCRR 161.2(a), in preparing any paper, as defined in 22 NYCRR 161.2(b), filed in or submitted to this court or served on another party in a case before this court is required to carefully review the paper and independently ensure that it contains no fabricated or fictitious cases, statutes, or other material. By signing such paper, an attorney or party certifies that such a review has been conducted and that the paper contains no such fabricated or fictitious content. If this court determines that this requirement has not been satisfied, such attorney or party may be subject to sanction or other remedial action.
Source page 2Adjournments
1. Scheduling and Appearance Inquiries: Parties who are not represented by counsel must direct all questions regarding scheduling or adjournment requests to the appropriate Part Clerk by facsimile or email. All communications must include the following: Case name, Index number, Surrogate’s file number, Family Unit number, or Indictment number, date of the next scheduled appearance; mailing address, email address, telephone number, and fax number of all parties. In cases where all parties are represented by counsel, scheduling inquiries may be made by email.
Source page 3Adjournments
2. Adjournment Requests-General Requirements: No adjournment request will be considered unless it is made in writing; is submitted at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the scheduled appearance; states that the request is made on consent of all other attorneys or parties, or that a good-faith effort was made to obtain such consent; and provides at least three (3) alternate dates and times when all parties and counsel are available to appear. All proposed alternate dates must be coordinated in advance with the appropriate calendar clerks of the Supreme Court, Family Court, County Court, or Surrogate’s Court, and with Ms. Richardson, by calling (845) 208-7811.
Source page 3Adjournments
3. Non-Consensual Adjournments: Adjournments requested without the consent of the other attorney(s) or parties will not be granted unless an affirmation of prior engagement, fully compliant with 22 NYCRR §125.1, is submitted and includes the date the conflicting appearance was scheduled, or exceptional circumstances exist.
Source page 3Adjournments
4. Status of Adjournment Request: Do not telephone the Court to inquire about the status of an adjournment request. All communications must be directed through the appropriate Family, County, or Surrogate’s Court Clerk. The Clerk will respond as soon as practicable.
Source page 3Adjournments
5. Notice to Parties: The party requesting the adjournment is responsible for notifying all parties and counsel in writing of the Court’s determination. A copy of that written notice must also be provided to the Court and the appropriate Court Clerk.
Source page 3Communications with chambers
6. Filing Requirements: A Notice of Appearance must be filed with the appropriate Court Clerk (Supreme, Family, County, or Surrogate’s Court) at the time counsel is retained. The Notice must include the attorney’s address, telephone number, fax number, and email address. Once a Notice of Appearance is filed, the attorney-of-record, or another attorney appearing on their behalf, is required to appear at every court appearance with the client until the matter is concluded or counsel is formally relieved. Counsel may be relieved only after a Consent to Change Attorney is filed, or a motion to be relieved is made and granted by the Court. All attorneys must comply with CPLR §321.
Source page 3Conferences and appearances
must be punctual for all scheduled appearances. Conflicting court appearances will not be accepted as an excuse for lateness.
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
9. Interpreters and Special Services: If a party requires an interpreter for any language, no later than one week prior to the date for any scheduled court appearance counsel shall advise the Family Court Clerk’s Office if the services of a foreign language interpreter is required for any party or witness, or if any special services are required for any party or witness who is hearing-impaired or who suffers from any other disability.
Source page 4Filing and working copies
1. Form of Papers: All papers filed with the Court are scanned upon receipt. Submissions must be bound with removable clips only. All exhibits must be clearly labeled so the Court can easily locate them. All papers must include the applicable identifying number: Index Number, Surrogate’s File Number, Family Court Docket Number and Family Unit Number, or Indictment Number.
Source page 4Conferences and appearances
3. Proof of Service: Proof of service must be filed with the Clerk of the appropriate Court (Family Court or Surrogate’s Court) at least two days before the return or appearance date.
Source page 4Motion practice
4. Filing and Appearances: Motions must be filed with the Clerk of the appropriate Court. In Family Court, return dates on Orders to Show Cause or Notices of Motion require appearance, unless otherwise directed by the Court. In Supreme Court, County Court, and Surrogate’s Court, appearances are not required on motion return dates unless otherwise ordered. If oral argument is deemed helpful, the movant’s attorney will be notified and directed to notify all other parties.
Source page 4Motion practice
5. Notice of Motion vs. Order to Show Cause: Motions should generally be brought by Notice of Motion. An Order to Show Cause should be used only when immediate emergency relief is necessary. Non-emergency motions filed by Order to Show Cause will be treated as Notices of Motion.
Source page 4Adjournments
7. Withdrawal of Motions: If a matter is resolved and no decision is required: Counsel must immediately notify the Court in writing. If the entire action is resolved, a Stipulation of Settlement or Stipulation of Discontinuance must be filed.
Source page 5Adjournments
9. Requests for Adjournments: All adjournments, extensions, or changes to the motion schedule must be requested by correspondence to the Court through the appropriate Court Clerk.
Source page 5Adjournments
10. Adjournments on Consent: Submit a letter to Chambers and the appropriate Court Clerk, copied to all parties. The letter must specify the proposed adjourned date. Open-ended adjournment requests will not be considered. No more than two adjournments will be permitted without Court approval.
Source page 5Motion practice
12. Timeliness of Papers: All papers must be received by the Court at least twenty-four hours before the return date or the date and time specified in an Order to Show Cause. Late papers will be rejected unless good cause is shown and no prejudice results.
Source page 5Motion practice
13. Scope of Papers: Papers must address only the relief sought in the Order to Show Cause or Notice of Motion. New issues raised in opposition or reply papers will not be considered without Court permission. Cross-motions that seek only denial of the original motion are not recognized as independent motions permitting a reply. Sur-replies are not permitted without specific Court permission and will be granted only upon a showing of exceptional circumstances.
Source page 5Motion practice
2. Counsel or a party filing an Order to Show Cause must provide a facsimile number and an email address, either in a cover letter or on the litigation back. This information is required so that, if the Court chooses to sign the Order to Show Cause, it may be faxed and/or emailed to the filing party or counsel for service purposes.
Source page 5Motion practice
3. If an Order to Show Cause requests temporary relief, counsel must comply with the provisions of 22 NYCRR §202.7(f) and notify opposing counsel or the opposing party that they have forty-eight hours to respond by letter to the Court regarding the request for temporary relief, unless counsel submits an affirmation stating that compliance would result in significant prejudice.
Source page 5Motion practice
4. If counsel has complied with this requirement, the Order to Show Cause must clearly indicate such compliance, either in a separate affirmation or in an accompanying letter to the Court.
Source page 6Courtroom conduct and technology
6. If a requested order is of a particularly urgent nature, counsel should notify the appropriate Court Clerk. The Court will make every effort to address Orders to Show Cause as promptly as practicable after receipt.
Source page 6Communications with chambers
7. If a proposed Order to Show Cause seeks a temporary order of protection or other emergency ex parte relief, counsel must advise the Clerk of the Family Court upon filing and be prepared, along with their client, for a hearing at such time as the Court may direct.
Source page 6Motion practice
Counsel’s Duty to Confer: Counsel shall make every effort to resolve discovery disputes among themselves and avoid the necessity of filing written discovery motions.
Source page 6Motion practice
Requirement of Leave of Court: Leave of Court shall be obtained prior to filing any motions related to discovery disputes.
Source page 6Trial exhibits and witnesses
● Service must be given to all counsel and parties after the witness is served (CPLR §2303(a)).
Source page 6Adjournments
Requesting a Judicial Subpoena: File a motion on one days’ notice to the custodian of the record (CPLR §2302(b)). Must be done at least 7 days before the fact-finding hearing (except in emergencies). Fact-finding hearings will not be postponed for failure to comply, except for good cause. Submit motions to the Court Clerk. Court issuance does not mean the evidence is automatically admissible.
Source page 6Trial exhibits and witnesses
Trial Notebook Requirements: Each party or attorney must submit a Trial Notebook at least one week (7 days) before the first trial date and provide copies to all other parties. If a Trial Notebook is not provided by the deadline, the Court may preclude witnesses and exhibits from being admitted.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
● Include name, address, phone number of each witness. ● Include a brief statement or offer of proof regarding the witness’s expected testimony. ● Failure to list a witness may prevent them from testifying, unless a valid explanation is provided.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
● Fact and expert witnesses should be notified of trial dates in advance. ● Witnesses should generally be available on one-hour phone call notice. ● Professional and public employee witnesses may testify out of order if needed.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
● School teachers: Schedule after 3:00 p.m. to avoid needing substitutes. ● Rebuttal witnesses do not need to be listed.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
● Parties should attempt to resolve disputes about evidence before trial.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
o Pre-marking exhibits o Discussing stipulations o Resolving remaining evidentiary disputes ● Unlisted exhibits (except for impeachment/rebuttal) may not be admitted without explanation. ● Exhibits marked into evidence stay with the Court until the case concludes.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
● Exhibits marked for identification stay with the offering attorney unless admitted into evidence.
Source page 7Motion practice
● Must be filed at least two weeks before trial. ● Late filing may result in the motion being precluded.
Source page 7Conferences and appearances
1. Orders (one original and one copy) must be submitted in accordance with 22 NYCRR § 202.48, either with a Notice of Settlement attached to the proposed order, or as a proposed consent order signed by all parties, thereby waiving the Notice of Settlement. Each attorney submitting a proposed order is expected to take detailed notes of the proceedings or obtain a transcript to ensure that the order accurately reflects the settlement placed on the record in open Court. If the proposed order does not reflect the actual settlement reached, it will be returned to the drafting attorney, who must correct and resubmit it within seven (7) days of return.
Source page 8Communications with chambers
4. If a matter is settled, discontinued, or otherwise resolved, counsel shall immediately provide written confirmation of settlement to Chambers via facsimile. If all parties are represented by counsel, this communication may be sent by email. Counsel is also responsible for ensuring that their client, the other parties, and any witnesses scheduled to appear at the next court date are notified. Failure to provide proper notice may result in the matter being deemed active, requiring all parties to appear in Court as scheduled.
Source page 8Communications with chambers
After the Court assigns a neutral forensic evaluator, all correspondence and documents provided to the evaluator must be copied to all parties. Before the evaluation report is completed and submitted to the Court, all communication between attorneys and the evaluator must be in writing and copied to all parties.
Source page 8Communications with chambers
After the report is submitted to the Court, if the evaluator consents, attorneys may meet with or speak to the evaluator to prepare testimony, discuss the substance of the report, or coordinate scheduling. Prior to such communication, counsel must notify all other parties in writing. Except for scheduling purposes, parties and attorneys must refrain from communicating with the evaluator’s staff after the report is issued. Communications with the evaluator are not privileged and may be subject to questioning at trial.
Source page 9Filing and working copies
Where parties have privately retained counsel, only private forensic evaluators will be appointed, except in exceptional circumstances. Attorneys-of-record may obtain a copy of the forensic evaluation upon filing a signed Affirmation with the Court. Pro se parties may review a forensic evaluation report by arranging a time with the Family Court Clerk’s Office, unless otherwise permitted by the Court.
Source page 9Trial exhibits and witnesses
Hearsay from a collateral contact that is not professionally reliable and is unsupported by independent evidence, where the collateral source does not testify, must be stricken from the report. Failure to satisfy these conditions will render the report inadmissible, provided a party properly raised an objection.
Source page 9Filing and working copies
Applications for guardianship that request Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) findings must be made by filing a Petition for Guardianship that includes a specific request for SIJS in the relief
Source page 9Motion practice
sought. The petition must clearly indicate on its face that it seeks SIJS findings. An Order to Show Cause (OSC) may only be used in cases where the child is about to turn 21, as SIJS eligibility ends at that age. In all other situations, the petition should be filed through the normal guardianship process, with the SIJS request clearly noted, to ensure proper consideration by the court.
Source page 10Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Putnam County Supreme 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
Putnam County Supreme 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
Putnam County Supreme 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
Putnam County Supreme 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 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits ↗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 ↗