Denise M. Watson at a glance
- Current role
- Supreme Court Justice
- Court
- Dutchess County Supreme Court
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- January 1, 2022–present
Denise M. Watson
Supreme Court Justice · Dutchess County Supreme Court
Available research
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Biography
Professional career
- Principal Court Attorney to Hon. Peter Forman, New York State Unified Court System, NY, 1999-2011
- Practitioner, Private Practice, 1989-1999
- Senior Staff Attorney, Probate Division, 21st Judicial Circuit, St. Louis County, Missouri, MO, 1984-1989
- Law Clerk, 21st Judicial Circuit, St. Louis County, Missouri, MO, 1983-1984
Judicial service
- Judge, Dutchess County Youth Treatment Court, NY, 2012-present
- Judge, New York Family Court, Dutchess County, NY, 2012-2021
- Acting Justice, New York Supreme Court, Dutchess County, NY, 2014-present
Education
- Boston University · BA, 1979
- Saint Louis University · JD, 1982
Courtroom rules and guidance
Recording And Photography
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 ↗
Evidence Presentation Control
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 ↗
Trial Exhibit Books
In New York Supreme Court and County Court civil cases, the court may require indexed trial exhibit binders, notebooks, or electronic equivalents for the court, counsel, and witnesses.
The court may direct that on the first day of trial or at such other time as the court may set, counsel shall submit an indexed binder or notebook, or the electronic equivalent, of trial exhibits for the court's use.Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗
Exhibit Marking
Civil trial counsel in New York Supreme Court and County Court must confer before trial and attempt to agree on exhibits to be offered without objection, unless the court directs otherwise.
Counsel for the parties shall consult prior to trial and shall in good faith attempt to agree upon the exhibits that will be offered into evidence without objection.Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗
Virtual Evidence Courtroom
For Commercial Division matters, New York rules encourage Virtual Evidence Courtrooms for managing and presenting trial evidence after authorization by request or court direction.
Virtual Evidence Courtrooms (VECs) may be used to facilitate real-time access to trial exhibits and other relevant documents.Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits ↗
Electronic Appearances
For New York criminal proceedings, virtual and hybrid appearances are governed by Part 200 consent, objection, public-access, and calendar-update requirements.
For all hybrid proceedings, all electronic appearances shall be projected in the physical courtroom in which the in-person portion of the proceeding is taking place in such a manner as to provide a reasonable opportunity for members of the public to view and hear the participants appearing electronically.Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction ↗
Sources
New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=IqUElC1QOrzhRrFb8Y1ndw%3D%3DCourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · checked August 2, 2026
https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15152/denise-m-watson/Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=trueGuide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/1-GENERAL/1-generalprovisions.shtmlPart 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-202-uniform-civil-rules-supreme-court-and-county-courtPart 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-202-uniform-civil-rules-supreme-court-and-county-courtPart 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-200-uniform-rules-courts-exercising-criminal-jurisdiction