central islip criminal courtSuffolk County District Court Lawyer — Cohalan Court Complex, Central Islip

Facing criminal charges or a misdemeanor traffic offense at the Suffolk County District Court? Ronald S. Cook, PC represents clients at the John P. Cohalan, Jr. Court Complex located at 400 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip, NY 11722. The Cohalan Court Complex is the central criminal courthouse for the five western towns of Suffolk County and handles misdemeanor and felony matters that are beyond the jurisdiction of the SCTPVA and village courts. Our Smithtown office is located a short drive from the courthouse.

Ronald Cook “wrote the book” on traffic tickets titled Beating Traffic Tickets, available on Amazon.com.

What Is the Cohalan Court Complex?

The John P. Cohalan, Jr. Court Complex is one of the busiest courthouses in Suffolk County. It houses multiple divisions of the state and county court system under one roof, including the Suffolk County District Court (Criminal Division), Suffolk County Supreme Court, Suffolk County Family Court, and the Administrative Judge’s Office. The District Court’s criminal division at the Cohalan Complex has trial jurisdiction over misdemeanors, violations, and infractions, as well as preliminary jurisdiction over felonies. It also houses specialty courts including Drug Treatment Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, Domestic Violence Court, and Human Trafficking Court.

The Cohalan Complex is where criminal traffic charges are handled — meaning offenses that carry potential jail time, such as DWI, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed operation. Regular traffic infractions (speeding, cell phone, red light) go to the SCTPVA in Hauppauge, not to the Cohalan Complex. If your ticket or charge is returnable to “Suffolk County District Court” or “First District Court,” your case will be heard at this courthouse.

Cohalan Court Complex Location and Contact Information

Address: John P. Cohalan, Jr. Court Complex, 400 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip, NY 11722

Phone — Criminal/Traffic Division: (631) 208-5800 (Room D220)

Phone — General: (631) 853-7500

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Criminal court sessions typically run 9:30 AM – 12:45 PM and 2:00 PM – 4:45 PM.

Official Website: ww2.nycourts.gov — Suffolk County District Court

Driving Directions

From the Long Island Expressway (I-495): Take Exit 56 South (Route 111). Proceed approximately one block and bear left at the fork onto Wheeler Road. Continue on Wheeler Road, which becomes Carleton Avenue at the railroad tracks. Continue on Carleton Avenue through approximately six traffic lights. The Cohalan Court Complex will be on your left.

From the Southern State Parkway (Eastbound): Take Exit 43A. Exit the parkway and turn right onto Spur Drive North. Turn right onto Carleton Avenue. Make the first right into the Cohalan Court Complex.

What Types of Cases Are Heard at the Cohalan Complex?

The Suffolk County District Court at the Cohalan Complex handles cases that are more serious than standard traffic infractions. If you received a summons or were arrested and your case is returnable to the District Court, you may be facing one of the following:

Criminal Traffic Offenses (Misdemeanors)

  • Driving While Intoxicated — DWI (VTL § 1192(2) / (3))
  • Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol — DWAI (VTL § 1192(1))
  • Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (VTL § 1192(4))
  • Driving While Ability Impaired by Combined Influence of Drugs and Alcohol (VTL § 1192(4-a))
  • Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle — AUO (VTL § 511)
  • Reckless Driving (VTL § 1212)
  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident (VTL § 600)

Common Misdemeanor Charges

  • Petit Larceny — Theft under $1,000 (NYPL § 155.25)
  • Assault in the Third Degree (NYPL § 120.00)
  • Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree (NYPL § 145.00)
  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance — 7th Degree (NYPL § 220.03)
  • Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree (NYPL § 140.10)
  • Menacing in the Third Degree (NYPL § 120.15)
  • Harassment in the Second Degree (NYPL § 240.26)
  • Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree (NYPL § 215.50)
  • Resisting Arrest (NYPL § 205.30)
  • Endangering the Welfare of a Child (NYPL § 260.10)
  • Criminal Possession of Stolen Property — 5th Degree (NYPL § 165.40)
  • Forgery in the Third Degree (NYPL § 170.05)
  • Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree (NYPL § 190.25)
  • Obstructing Governmental Administration — 2nd Degree (NYPL § 195.05)

Felony Charges (Arraignment and Preliminary Hearings)

The District Court has preliminary jurisdiction over felony cases. Felony arraignments and initial proceedings are held at the Cohalan Complex before cases are presented to a grand jury and potentially transferred to Suffolk County Supreme Court for trial. Common felony charges arraigned here include:

  • Grand Larceny — 4th, 3rd, and 2nd Degree (NYPL § 155.30 / 155.35 / 155.40)
  • Burglary — 3rd and 2nd Degree (NYPL § 140.20 / 140.25)
  • Robbery — 2nd and 1st Degree (NYPL § 160.10 / 160.15)
  • Assault in the Second Degree (NYPL § 120.05)
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon — 3rd and 2nd Degree (NYPL § 265.02 / 265.03)
  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance — 3rd Degree (NYPL § 220.16)
  • Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance — 3rd Degree (NYPL § 220.39)
  • Felony DWI — Prior DWI within 10 years (VTL § 1192)
  • Identity Theft in the First Degree (NYPL § 190.80)
  • Arson in the Third Degree (NYPL § 150.10)

How the District Court Process Works

Arraignment: If you are arrested, you will be arraigned at the Cohalan Complex. At arraignment, the charges are read, bail is set or you are released, and a future court date is scheduled. You have the right to an attorney at arraignment — if you cannot afford one, the court will assign counsel.

Pre-Trial Conferences: After arraignment, your case will be scheduled for conferences where your attorney and the prosecutor discuss possible resolutions, including plea offers and charge reductions.

Plea Negotiations: For misdemeanor cases, your attorney can negotiate with the District Attorney’s office for reduced charges, lower fines, or alternative dispositions such as community service or conditional discharge. The outcome depends on the charges, your criminal history, and the facts of the case.

Trial: If no plea agreement is reached, misdemeanor cases are tried at the District Court. Felony cases that are indicted by a grand jury are transferred to Suffolk County Supreme Court for trial.

District Court vs. SCTPVA — Know the Difference

Many people confuse the Suffolk County District Court with the SCTPVA. They are different courts that handle different types of cases:

  • SCTPVA (100 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge) — Handles traffic infractions and parking violations. No jail is possible. Administrative agency with hearing officers.
  • Suffolk County District Court (400 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip) — Handles misdemeanors, criminal traffic offenses (DWI, AUO, reckless driving), and felony arraignments. Jail is possible. Traditional court with judges.

If your ticket or summons says “SCTPVA” or “Traffic and Parking Violations Agency,” see our SCTPVA Traffic Ticket Lawyer page. If it says “District Court” or “First District Court,” you are in the right place.

Suffolk County District Court Outlying Courthouses

In addition to the main Cohalan Complex in Central Islip, the Suffolk County District Court operates five outlying courthouses that handle civil, small claims, landlord-tenant, and town ordinance matters:

  • Second District Court (Huntington Station), 75 East Carver Street, Huntington Station, NY 11746
  • Third District Court (Huntington), 1490 New York Avenue, Huntington, NY 11743
  • Fourth District Court (Hauppauge), 3105 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
  • Fifth District Court (Islip), 3105 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
  • Sixth District Court (Brookhaven), 150 West Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772

Criminal matters for the five western towns are centralized at the Cohalan Complex in Central Islip.

Get a Free Intake Consultation

Text us at (631) 678-8993.

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If you have been arrested or received a summons returnable to the Suffolk County District Court, contact us immediately. Early legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

Why Choose Ronald S. Cook, PC

Attorney Ronald S. Cook has handled thousands of criminal defense and traffic cases across New York State. The firm has over 3,000 client testimonials across Google, BBB, Trustpilot, and other review platforms. Attorney Cook holds five advanced degrees, including dual LL.M. degrees, and has been serving New York clients for over 25 years.

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