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Civil Enforcement Bureau

The Role of the Enforcement Bureau

The Civil Enforcement Bureau of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is the enforcement arm of the civil courts. Its authority lies in the New York State Constitution, the Civil Practice Law, and Rules, and the Real Property Law of the State of New York. The civil actions that are processed by this section include property executions (for real and personal property), income executions, warrants to remove, any service of process, warrants of arrest, orders of seizure, orders of attachment, service of D.W.I. forfeiture summonses for the County Attorney, closure orders for Health Services and all other orders issued from any civil court. In addition to civil enforcement, the Deputy Sheriffs assigned to this section also enforce Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, and Vehicle Traffic Law. The Civil Enforcement Bureau's law enforcement role encompasses all of the ten townships that comprise Suffolk County. 

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The Civil Enforcement Bureau is located at:

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360 Yaphank Avenue

Yaphank, NY 11980

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Looking for Civil Bureau assistance? Click the links below to get more information.

General Information: (631) 852-5600

Evictions: (631) 852-5621

Property Executions: (631) 852-5627

Income Execution | Wage Garnishment: (631) 852-5623

Real Property Seizures: (631) 852-5613 or (631) 852-5616

Bankruptcy: (631) 852-5613 or (631) 852-5616

Orders to Show Cause: (631) 852-5613 or (631) 852-5616

Summonses & Warrants: (631) 852-5617

Property Execution

A Property Execution is an instrument used by the sheriff to seize assets other than earnings, salary or wages. The type of property targeted will determine the type of Property Execution to be used.

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How to file a Property Execution:

 

You must obtain a Transcript of the Judgment from the County Clerk's Office. Once your transcript of judgment is filed with the County Clerk, you may request a property execution (Form #199) for the Sheriff's Office to attempt collection of your judgment. The County Clerk’s fee is $5.00 to issue the Form 199.

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County Clerks Office

300 Center Drive

Riverhead, NY 11901

(631) 852-2000

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Keep a copy for your records and make another to file with the Sheriff's Office.

 

When Filing with the Sheriff's Office: ​

Make 7 copies (front and back) of the original Form 199. One copy may be retained for your personal records and 6 copies must be sent to the Sheriff's Office, along with the original document.

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Forward to the Sheriff:

  • The original Form 199

  • Six copies (front and back) of Form 199

  • One copy of the Transcript of Judgment

  • A note with your name and a daytime contact phone number.

  • A certified check, money order or attorney's check made payable to the Sheriff of Suffolk County for the statutory fee of $20.00, plus the mileage fee.

 

If the defendant is no longer at the address shown on the Judgment, you must provide the Sheriff's Office with a current address. Without a correct address, the Sheriff will be unable to collect on the judgment.

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Mail to:

Suffolk Sheriff's Office Civil Bureau 
360 Yaphank Avenue -- Suite 1A
Yaphank, NY  11980

 

NOTE:  If filing in person, you may make a cash payment.  Please see the links below for the mileage chart for fee information as well as to obtain a Sale of Real Property Form. Additional information is available from the County Clerk's Office linked here.

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Need directions to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Civil Enforcement Bureau? Click here.

Motor Vehicle Levy

A change in law went into effect on January 21, 2011 (see CPLR 5205).  The Sheriff must now conduct his levies and sales on motor vehicles to conform to this new law.  The new law gives a debtor a $5500.00 exemption above liens and encumbrances on his/her owned vehicle. 

 

The Sheriff will have to collect the debtor’s exemption, the lien amount on the vehicle (if there is one) and the expenses paid to levy the vehicle at the time of the Sheriff’s sale.  If at the time of sale the bidding does not bring $5500.00 plus the lien amount, the sale is stopped and the vehicle will be returned to the debtor.

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The plaintiff can bid on the vehicle.  The first $5500.00 plus the lien amount must be paid in cash.  Any bids you make above this amount can be a credit bid which will reduce the amount of the judgment.

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Sheriff’s poundage will be paid in advance.  Poundage is 5% of the vehicle value, or the execution amount (whichever is less).* This cost may or may not be reimbursed (or adjusted) from the proceeds of the sale.

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CAUTION: The Sheriff’s seizure and sale of a vehicle may not result in the satisfaction of your judgment.  You may also lose the additional levy expenses.  The sale may be delayed or stopped by a bankruptcy filing or other legal proceeding.  The sale value of the vehicle is affected by mechanical damage, high mileage, age, and the condition of the vehicle inside and out. In order for the Sheriff to levy a debtor’s vehicle for the satisfaction of a money judgment you will have to provide the following information and documentation:

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  1. Go to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and fill out an MV15 form (download form here.)  You will receive an MV904N from DMV which will show title to the vehicle (who owns it) and if there is a lien on the vehicle.

  2. If there is a lienholder listed, we require proof from the lienholder of the balance due on the lien.  You will have to contact the lienholder or hire an attorney who can obtain this information.

  3. Proof of the value of the vehicle.  The proof is an appraisal from a licensed car dealer or an official book value.

  4. Forward a certified check or money order, payable to the Sheriff of Suffolk County, in the amount of $1000.00 in advance for expenses related to seizure, towing and storage.   We may require additional expenses depending on the size of the vehicle, special towing, or special storage requirements.  If the vehicle is not located or seized the advanced expense money will be refunded. *Sheriff’s poundage to be paid per above.

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For directions to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Civil Enforcement Bureau, click here. 

Income Execution | Wage Garnishment

An income execution is a type of levy that may be issued against your wages if you fail to resolve your tax debt. It is a legal order that requires you or your employer to pay a portion of your gross wages for taxes you owe from your paycheck/salary. Issued by the NYS Courts, New York State will ask you to voluntarily pay up to 10% of your gross wages each time you're paid. If you don’t make voluntary payments, they will have your employer automatically deduct up to 10% of your gross wages from your paycheck and send it to us. The income execution remains in effect until the outstanding tax liability is satisfied.

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If you fail to resolve your tax debt, New York State may proceed with collection action by issuing an income execution. They may file a tax warrant before or after we issue the income execution. First, they will send the income execution to the address on file for you (click here to change your address & update your personal information if needed.)

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Generally, to comply with the income execution, you must:

  • You are required to make the first payment within 20 days of receiving the notice.

  • By law, wage deductions can't exceed ten percent: (10%) of gross income, or twenty five percent (25%) of disposable earnings.

  • You must make payments each time you get paid, whether that's weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.

  • If you don't pay the required amount, your employer must deduct the money from your wages.

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How to remove an income execution:

  • Pay the bill in full.

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For more information on income execution and wage garnishments, please visit the New York State Website.

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For driving directions to the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Civil Enforcement Bureau, click here.

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