The Sheriff’s Office Civil Division is responsible for the execution of civil processes and mandates of the courts.
The members of the Civil Division perform property executions and seizures, income executions, and evictions. They serve orders of protection, subpoenas, and summonses. The Civil Division has responsibility for the transportation of juveniles who are under the jurisdiction of the courts, but who are not in the custody of the Department of Social Services. The Division is charged with the movement of prisoners between Oneida County facilities and facilities statewide, and between holding facilities and courts within the Oneida County Court House. Civil Division members also provide courtroom security for all trials held in Oneida County Court. The Civil Division is Accredited by the New York State Sheriffs' Association.
The Civil Division consists of sworn Peace Officers and Deputy Sheriffs (Police), who have completed an NYSSA Civil Training School as well as — the Basic Course for Peace Officers or Basic Course for Police Officers. Civil Officers/Deputies typically work weekdays on the day shift and follow the holiday schedule of the courts. Officers/Deputies are required to work overtime and weekends when the needs of the courts require.
The Civil Division collects over $2.3 million annually, through process service and income execution, and the Division generates over $200,000 in annual revenue in fees related to these services. With this much money passing through the Sheriff's Office custody, accountability is of concern. Until the year 2001, Deputies and clerks made manual entries in three separate ledgers. In 2001, a $30,000 federal grant was received, and the bookkeeping and accounting needs of the division are now managed electronically by Deputies and clerks who utilize a proprietary software package that was designed specifically for the needs of the Division.
Civil Division members' primary responsibilities are the execution of civil processes and mandates of the courts. This task is accomplished through the service of income and property executions, eviction notices, and a variety of other civil summonses, processes, and complaints. They also assist individuals who are seeking procedural information regarding civil matters, and for the maintenance of a variety of civil documents and records. The Officers/Deputies are also responsible for making civil arrests, closing businesses, and conducting auctions on foreclosed properties.
Officers/Deputies also provide courtroom security and prisoner escort and transport within Oneida County court facilities and other facilities statewide. Deputies of the Civil Division also work within the agency's Warrants Unit. General supervision is received from the Sergeant-Civil or Lieutenant-Civil, with leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out details of the work.
Duties of The Civil Division (not all-inclusive):
- Serves income and property executions and records and mails copies of such notices.
- Serves eviction notices and contacts attorneys to finalize evictions.
- Receives and prepares pre-judgment civil documents and prepares them for delivery to defendants and respondents.
- Supervises evictions to ensure peace between evicted tenants and their landlords.
- Serves summonses and complaints, which include: Summons of Notices, Action of Divorces, Citations, Subpoenas, Civil Arrest Warrants, Levy on Vehicles, and Auction of Property Sales.
- Fills out and mails affidavits, and performs other clerical duties necessary for daily assignments.
- Records delivery of civil documents and returned proof of service.
- Answers phones and assists individuals seeking procedural information regarding civil matters.
- Makes postings and disbursements on dockets.
- Makes civil arrests, appropriates vehicles for property executions, closes businesses, and conducts auctions of foreclosed properties.
- Receives and deposits monies and posts amounts to various accounts concerning civil processes.
- Receives and records Family Court mandates.
- Transports juvenile defendants to and from Division for Youth facilities.
- Executes Family Court mandates, including warrants, summonses, subpoenas, and transports.
- Transports defendants to and from courts and maintains the security of defendants in courts.
- Transports and sequesters jurors.