Rita M. Mella at a glance
- Current role
- Surrogate
- Court
- New York County Surrogate's Court
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- January 1, 2013–present
Rita M. Mella
Surrogate · New York County Surrogate's Court
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- Hon. Richard Rivera Kings County Supreme Court, Court Attorney and Law Clerk, 1993 to 2002
- Hon. Margarita Lopez Torres Kings County Surrogate's Court, Law Clerk and Court Attorney, 2003 to 2006
Judicial service
- Judge, NY County Civil Court assigned to Criminal Court, 2007 to 2012
- Surrogate, New York County, Elected, 2013 to 2026
Education
- CUNY Law School · J.D., 1991
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 ↗
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=AAKEYgdmKGc3uWCgp9DnaQ%3D%3DPart 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.shtml