Which New York State law governs the duties of the court clerk?

The New York State Judiciary Law specifically governs the organization and administration of the court system, establishing the responsibilities, powers, and duties of court clerks among other roles within the judiciary. This law provides the legal framework that outlines how clerks should operate, including their role in maintaining court records, managing the filing of documents, and ensuring that all procedures are in compliance with statutory and constitutional requirements.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of law. The New York Civil Procedure Law primarily deals with the rules surrounding civil legal proceedings, including guidance on how civil cases should be conducted in court but does not define the functions of court clerks. The New York Family Court Act centers on family law matters and procedures specific to family courts and does not encompass the general duties of clerks across the various court types. The New York Penal Law is concerned with defining criminal offenses and the penalties associated with them, making it irrelevant to the administrative roles that court clerks fulfill. Thus, the Judiciary Law is the comprehensive statute that directly outlines the clerk's responsibilities.