Tonastacia S. Dennis at a glance
- Current role
- City Court Judge
- Court
- Onondaga County City Court
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- January 1, 2025–present
Tonastacia S. Dennis
City Court Judge · Onondaga County City Court
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- New Justice Conflict Resolution Services Onondaga County Family Court Coordinator, Mediator 2014 2016
- Onondaga County District Attorney's Office Senior Assistant District Attorney, 2016 2022
- Wesley, Clark & Peshkin LLP Associate Attorney 2022 2023
- NYS Unified Court System, Supreme Court Principal Court Attorney, 2023 to 2024
Judicial service
- Judge Syracuse City Court, Elected, 2025 to present
Education
- Syracuse University College of Law · J.D., 2014
- Le Moyne College · B.A., 2010
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 ↗
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 ↗
Justice Court Civil Procedure
New York Part 214 applies statewide to civil actions and proceedings in Town, Village, and City Justice Courts outside New York City; each court establishes and posts its regular sessions, subject to modification by the Chief Administrator.
This Part shall be applicable to all actions and proceedings in the Town, Village and City Justice Courts of the State of New York, outside the City of New York.Part 214: Uniform Civil Rules for the Justice Courts ↗
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/JudicialDirectoryPart 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 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-jurisdictionPart 214: Uniform Civil Rules for the Justice Courts
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 27, 2026
https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-214-uniform-civil-rules-justice-courts