Pierce F. Cohalan at a glance
- Current role
- Family Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Pierce F. Cohalan
Family Court Judge · Suffolk County Family Court
Biography
Professional career
- Acting County Court Judge, District Court, Suffolk County, Fifth District, Designated by Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks, 2018 to 2026
- Other assignments: Acting judge on the Suffolk County Court (2018–2026)
- Judge, District Court, Suffolk County, Fifth District, Elected, 2015 to 2020
- Judge on the Suffolk County District Court in New York, presiding over the Veterans Court and other cases in the 10th Judicial District
- Current position: Judge, Suffolk County District Court, Department D33, 10th Judicial District, New York
Education
- Hofstra University School of Law — J.D. (1994)
- Lehigh University, Bethlehem, P.A — B.A. (1989)
Additional information
- Public service: Chief Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, Town of Islip (2013)
- M.B.A. — Columbia Business School — 2006
- Recognized for his dual role in handling general district court matters and leading a specialized veterans’ justice program, combining legal expertise with a focus on rehabilitation and community support
- Notable facts: Sixth member of his family across four generations to become a judge; first judge to captain a ferry on the Great South Bay
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 ↗