Steven W. Paynter at a glance
- Current role
- Justice
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Steven W. Paynter
Biography
Professional career
- Justice, Supreme Court, Queens County, Elected, 2008 to 2021
- Justice, New York Supreme Court, Queens County, New York, NY, 2008-2021
- Judge, Civil Court of the City of New York, New York, NY, 1996-2007
- Assistant District Attorney, Queens County, New York, NY, 1991-1995
- Court Attorney, Acting Justice Anthony P. Savarese, 1988-1991
- Assistant District Attorney, Queens County District Attorney's Office, NY, 1981-1988
- The Scrutinize report notes that these reversals often stem from findings that the trial court judge erred in denying suppression, potentially indicating a bias toward law enforcement in certain cases
Education
- Steven William Paynter obtained a B.A. from Manhattan College and an M.A. from Fordham University, followed by a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.
Additional information
- He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1981.
- Current court assignment: Queens County Supreme Court - Criminal Term
- Before becoming a judge, Paynter worked in the Queens District Attorney’s Office
- Assigned to the Queens Supreme Court in Kew Gardens, NY, and is known for almost exclusively handling evidence-suppression hearings in criminal cases
- Practice areas: While primarily a trial judge, his background includes experience in civil, transportation, and real estate law before judicial service
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 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Supreme Court, Queens County, Criminal Term
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
Supreme Court, Queens County, Criminal Term
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
Supreme Court, Queens County, Criminal Term
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 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
New York State Unified Court System official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View New York State Unified Court System official judicial roster ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗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 ↗