Michael J. Pinto at a glance
- Current role
- Civil Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2033
Michael J. Pinto
Civil Court Judge · Richmond County Civil Court
Biography
Professional career
- Republican‐affiliated judge of the Staten Island 2nd Municipal Court District in the New York City Civil Court, Richmond County, elected in 2023 and serving until 2034
- Judge NYC Civil Court, Richmond County Elected 2024 to 2033
- Judge NYC Criminal Court, Kings County Designated by Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas 2024 to 2025
- NYS Unified Court System Principal Court Attorney 2020 to 2023
- Crawford Bringslid Vander Neut, LLP Associate 2018 to 2019
- Mendes & Mount, LLP Associate 2015 to 2018
- Position: Judge, NYC Civil Court – Richmond County (Staten Island 2nd Municipal Court District)
- Court Attorney: held the role of a court attorney for Judge Robert Helboch in both criminal and civil courts
- He has stated his goal is simply “to do justice” in his judicial work
- He has also taught Criminal Justice Systems at Wagner College and established the school’s first mock trial class
Education
- St. John's University School of Law — J.D. (2013)
- Wagner College — B.A. (2010)
Additional information
- Archdiocese of New York Program Manager 2014 to 2015
- Pinto emphasizes that judges’ role is to uphold the law, not to create policy or change legislation.
- Pinto is active in Staten Island’s arts and education scene, including creating the Minty Awards to promote local drama and arts programs.
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 208 — Uniform Civil Rules New York City Civil Court
Richmond County Civil 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
Richmond County Civil 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
Richmond County Civil 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 ↗