Which Counties and Locations Are Covered by the Southern District of New York?

Updated

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) covers eight counties in downstate New York: New York, Bronx, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, and Sullivan. The court hears cases at three locations — Manhattan, White Plains, and Poughkeepsie — and jurors are drawn from those same eight counties. If you live in one of these counties and are called for federal jury service in the Southern District, or if your case falls within its geographic boundaries, this is the court that has jurisdiction.

Counties Within the District

The district's territorial reach is defined by these eight counties:

  • New York County (Manhattan)
  • Bronx County
  • Westchester County
  • Rockland County
  • Putnam County
  • Orange County
  • Dutchess County
  • Sullivan County

This means the SDNY's jurisdiction spans from Manhattan and the Bronx north through the Hudson Valley and into the Catskills region (Sullivan County).

Where the Court Hears Cases

The court conducts proceedings at three courthouse locations:

Location Role
Manhattan Primary courthouse; the district's first session was held here in 1789
White Plains Serves the northern and central counties of the district
Poughkeepsie Additional venue for the district's northern reach

The specific courthouse assigned to a case depends on the judge and the nature of the matter, so parties should confirm the location in their case documents rather than assume Manhattan.

What This Means for Jurors and Litigants

For jurors: If you reside in any of the eight counties listed above, you may be summoned for jury service in the Southern District of New York. Your service location will be one of the three courthouses.

For litigants: A federal case must be filed in the district where the events occurred or where the parties reside. If your dispute arises in one of these eight counties, the SDNY is the proper venue (subject to other jurisdictional rules). Before appearing, parties should review the Individual Practices of the assigned judge, as the court's homepage advises.

For the general public: The district has sat continuously in New York since 1789 and was the first court to convene under the U.S. Constitution, preceding the Supreme Court by a few months. Its historical docket includes the Titanic and Lusitania claims, the Rosenberg and Alger Hiss espionage cases, and the government's challenges to publication of Ulysses and the Pentagon Papers.

Quick Reference

  • Counties covered: New York, Bronx, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan
  • Courthouse locations: Manhattan, White Plains, Poughkeepsie
  • Jury pool: Drawn from the eight counties above
  • Official site: nysd.uscourts.gov