Philip N. Pilmar at a glance
- Current role
- Criminal Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2028
Philip N. Pilmar
Criminal Court Judge · Kings County Criminal Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Criminal Court of the City of New York, Appointed, 2025 to Present
- U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York Assistant U.S. Attorney, 2018 to 2025
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of New York Law Clerk, 2012 to 2013
- Also registered as an attorney in the New York State Unified Court System, admitted in 2012 to the New York State Bar, and has worked in the Bronx County Criminal Court and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York.
- This personal history has been publicized in media coverage, but his judicial career reflects a focus on law, investigation, and justice
Education
- New York University School of Law — J.D. (2011)
- Northwestern University — B.A. (2008)
Additional information
- Appointed by Mayor Adams for a term starting in 2025 and ending in 2028.
- As of February 2026, Judge Philip N. Pilmar presides over criminal cases in the Kings County Criminal Court in New York.
- Private Practice Associate, 2013 to 2018
- Private Practice Associate, 2011 to 2012
- Before becoming a judge, he served as a detective, solving unsolved cases — including a high-profile 2005 disappearance — which shaped his investigative skills and approach to justice
- Pilmar’s path to the bench is unusual: he transitioned from cold case investigation to judicial service.
- His legal education is from New York University, and he later studied at the London School of Economics
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 ↗
Remote appearances
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
Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Kings County Criminal Court
State criminal proceedings only; section-specific court and case exceptions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Kings County Criminal 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
Kings County Criminal 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 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 ↗