William E. Garnett at a glance
- Current role
- Acting Justice
- Current assignment
- 2 current judicial positions
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
William E. Garnett
Acting Justice · New York Supreme Court, Kings County
Biography
Professional career
- Acting Justice, New York Supreme Court, Kings County, New York, NY, 2002-present
- Acting Justice, Criminal Court of the City of New York, New York, NY, 2002-present
- 2002–present: Acting Justice, Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term
- Acting Justice, New York Supreme Court, Richmond County, New York, NY, 2019-2029
- 2019–2029: Acting Justice, Richmond County Supreme Court (per CourtListener)
- Judge, Criminal Court of the City of New York, New York, NY, 2010-2019
- After Justice Stephen J. Rooney recused himself, Garnett heard arguments from both sides and, on March 19, 2015, denied the request, citing lack of “compelling and particularized need”
- Judge, Criminal Court of the City of New York, New York, NY, 2000-2009
- Acting Justice of the Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, Second Judicial District of New York, appointed in 2002 by former Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman
- 1991–2002: Judge, Criminal Court of the City of New York, appointed by Mayor Rudy Giuliani
- Judge, Criminal Court of the City of New York, New York, NY, 1991-1999
- District Attorney, Office of the Richmond County District Attorney, NY, 1982-1991
- Assistant District Attorney, Office of the Kings County District Attorney, New York, NY, 1976-1982
- William E. Garnett’s career spans over three decades in New York’s criminal justice system — from prosecutor to judge — with a focus on criminal law and high-profile public interest cases
Education
- New York University — LL.M. (1988)
- B.A. — Fordham University in 1973, his J.D. degree from the Brooklyn School of Law in 1976, and his L.L.M. degree from the New York University School of Law in 1988
Additional information
- lists Garnett with AV Preeminent® peer ratings, reflecting the highest level of professional excellence for legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards
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
Kings 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
Kings 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
Kings 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
Kings 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 June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
New York Supreme Court, Kings County current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View New York Supreme Court, Kings County current judicial profile ↗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 ↗