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Joy is a resident of Hempstead, New York. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany in 1982. She subsequently earned her Juris Doctor from the Pepperdine University Rick J. Caruso School of Law in 1985,

Joy M. Watson currently serves as a Judge on the Nassau County Family Court.

Joy began her legal career serving as an Assistant District Attorney in the Nassau County District Attorney's Office for nearly 20 years (1986–2005), eventually rising to serve as Deputy Bureau Chief of the Major Offense Bureau and Bureau Chief of the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Bureau. She subsequently worked as the Principal Law Clerk to Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Karen V. Murphy (2006–2010), served as Deputy Comptroller for Nassau County (2010–2013), and worked Of Counsel for the firm Sepe & O'Mahony. Additionally, she has served as an Adjunct Professor in the Criminal Justice Department at Molloy College since 2006.

2026 New York General Election

Served as a Special Prosecutor in the high-profile vehicular assault case of People of the State of New York v. Elizabeth Grubman.

- Served as a Special Prosecutor in the high-profile vehicular assault case of People of the State of New York v. Elizabeth Grubman.

Legal Experience

As of September 9, 2026, Joy M. Watson did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Joy M. Watson

Mauricio Mendez

Milan Parker

Buket Urgen

Anthony R. Portesy

Eric Sachs

James A. McDonaugh

John Iliou

John Kelly

Karen M. Wilutis

Kelly A. Reape

Leonard D. Steinman

Mary E. Porter

Mary Kate Mullen

Richard Ambro

Stephen L. Ukeiley

William D. Wexler

- The  New York Supreme Court is the state-wide trial court with the broadest jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters. However, it is not the state’s court of last resort.
- It can hear virtually any type of case brought before it, except for claims brought against the state which must be heard by the Court of Claims. Generally, it hears high-level criminal cases or civil cases with a judgment of more than $50,000.
- It is the only court that can grant divorce, annulment, and separation in New York.
- The New York Supreme Court is broken into 12 judicial districts state-wide. There are currently 154 justices authorized to sit in the New York City Supreme Court, but only 136 actually serve in Supreme Court trial parts because some of the justices are assigned to the Appellate Division or the Appellate Term.
- Justices of the Supreme Court are elected to serve 14-year terms and are paid a salary of $232,600.

A judge on your judicial district’s trial court which oversees criminal and civil matters. 