Suzanne Maxwell Barnes at a glance
- Current role
- County Court Judge
- Court
- Erie County County Court
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- January 1, 2019–present
Suzanne Maxwell Barnes
County Court Judge · Erie County County Court
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- New York State Attorney General's Office, Assistant Attorney General, 1994 to 1996
- NYS Unified Court System Erie County Supreme Court, Supervising Court Attorney Referee, 2013 to 2019
- Erie County District Attorney's Office, Assistant District Attorney, 1988 to 1993
- Solo Practitioner, Criminal Defense Attorney, 1996 to 2001
- NYS Unified Court System Erie County Supreme and Family Court, Principal Law Clerk to Hon. Sharon S. Townsend, 2001 to 2006
- NYS Unified Court System Erie County Supreme Court, Court Attorney Referee, 2006 to 2019
Judicial service
- Judge, County Court, Erie County, Elected, 2019 to 2029
Education
- SUNY at Buffalo Law School · J.D., 1987
- St. Lawrence University · B.A., 1984
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 ↗
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=nGI8SmWPd2DMC1qvFuprGg%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.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 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