Hon. C. Stephen Hackeling See Rating Details

District Court
Suffolk County
See Comments

Attorney Average Rating:   7.1 - 26 rating(s)
Non-Attorney Average Rating:   7.0 - 13 rating(s)
Please send me alerts on this judge
E-mail Address:




Add your own rating

E-Mail Address (will not be displayed)
   
Confirm E-mail Address      
Zip
Occupation

Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.


General Rating Criteria

* Temperament (1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship (1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness (1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation (1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality (1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters (1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge (1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling (1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)


Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation (1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail (1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions (1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage (1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage (1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage (1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)


Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation (1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions (1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination (1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)
Comments


Please type what you see below:

    

What others have said about Hon. C. Stephen Hackeling


Comments


Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY12815
Rating:1.5
Comments:
Judge did not listen to evidence, there was NO proof of damage. No pictures, just someone's stating nonsense. Very unprofessional. Horrible needs to go

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY12743
Rating:10.0
Comments:
This is the most courteous, well- mannered and intelligent Judge that I have encountered during 36 years of practicing Law within the State of New York. Nassau County should take a lesson from this Suffolk County Judge. Hon. Judge Hackeling you are a fine example of what a Judge should be, rather than the attorneys who are appointed to run for office after practicing law for 14 years who are devastating the Family Court with horrific determinations. Thank God for your presence.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY11354
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Judge Hackeling happens to be the fairest judge I have had the pleasure of working with for over 20 years . He is extremely knowledgeable and a fair judge to both sides when he has trials

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY11353
Rating:1.0
Comments:
The people who wrote how brilliant this judge is must be members of his immediate family. As an attorney, I can assure you that he is clueless and fails as a judge, writing legal decisions that go against both statutory law and all common sense. I only hope someone steps up and blocks him from being re-elected in 2020.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY9636
Rating:10.0
Comments:
This judge is fantastic.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY8476
Rating:3.3
Comments:
Judge Hackeling is a very nice and friendly person: the kind of guy you want to have a beer with. But he should not be a judge. He simply has no idea what he is doing on the bench. He is completely lost, with no knowledge of the law. I am sure he is highly qualified to be a lifeguard at the beach, but he is definitely unqualified to be a judge. The Pledge of Allegiance skit he does every morning is cute, but he should do it wearing a Boy Scout uniform, and not a judge's robe. He is the most punctual judge in Suffolk County, but being on time for a job you cannot do competently means nothing.

Litigant

Comment #: NY7157
Rating:1.0
Comments:
Hackeling should not be a judge. Very unfair. Bias. Has no control over his courtroom.

Other

Comment #: NY6691
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Wonderful, fair, and patient judge. Extremely intelligent and well versed. I was extremely impressed by Hackeling.

Litigant

Comment #: NY6651
Rating:1.0
Comments:
I agree with Comments NY2731, NY2601, NY2463, NY1497, NY1496 and NY85 Hackeling needs to go back to the farm and hackle with the chickens. Worst judge I have ever stood in front of. Doesn't know the law. Has no pride in what he does. What about the word"justice?" I thought that justice prevails when you are in a courtroom. No lying, no scamming of innocent victims, etc and he rules for them. I guess he doesn't know right from wrong. He runs hot and cold. If you are looking for justice to prevail do not stand in front of him. His decisions are beyond flawed. I do believe he is biased too. If you are guilty he is the man you want to stand in front of. Only the guilty will win. I was told that there were a lot of bad judges and he is one of them. As comment NY1496 wrote he is incapable of doing the job. No wonder why he is the most reversed district judge in the state. STAY AWAY If you want to see him go to a farm and watch the chickens hackle. That is where he belongs. Only the guilty will survive in his courtroom. Could careless about what he does to anyone plus he is negligent. Can't read.

Other

Comment #: NY6306
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Hon. C. Stephen Hackeling is highly intelligent, kind, fair, patient, and honest. He is a truly wonderful judge and an even better man. It is a privilege to have worked beside him, to have stood before him, and to know him.

Litigant

Comment #: NY6297
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Terrible The only time this man should be on a bench is to clean it after the pigeons have all taken their dumps. Can't even read letters or papers correctly. How this man has your fate in his hands is just remarkable and there is nothing you can do about it. No wonder why he only won relection by a margin and lost in a few of the primaries. Man needs to be thrown off the bench after this. The whole third district courthouse in Huntington is corrupt. Him and his arbitrators. I have paper trails too of the lies and deceit.

Litigant

Comment #: NY6289
Rating:1.0
Comments:
He needs to be thrown off the bench. Doesn't know the law. Incompetent.

Litigant

Comment #: NY6037
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
If I was able to I would love to give Judge Hackeling a big hug. He is the best of the best. It was a privilege and honor to stand in front of him. I knew it the minute I met him. One of the nicest kindest and most honest men I have ever known. His decision in my case was right on the mark. Kudos for Judge Hackeling!

Litigant

Comment #: NY5902
Rating:10.0
Comments:
As the saying goes, if I had ten men like him (Judge Hackeling) I would rule the world. Just a wonderful, wonderful man.

Other

Comment #: NY5894
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Great!

Other

Comment #: NY5892
Rating:10.0
Comments:
I stood in front of Judge Hackeling last month and I thought he was fabulous. Such a kind, honest, sincere and caring man. He really listend to me. He heard everything I said. I felt it was in a very caring and concerning way.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY5883
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Anyone who says this man doesn't know the law inside and out is kidding themselves. I have stood before Judge Hackeling several times, and every time my admiration for him has grown. He is one of the last true lawmen of our time. Fair, balanced, logical, and intelligent, through and through.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY5568
Rating:9.5
Comments:
excellent disposition; good scheduling; courteous to bar and litigants; knowledgeable, patient, and generally very even handed

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY5408
Rating:6.9
Comments:
Fair, evenhanded judge. Wish there was more earnest settlement discussions at the pretrial conference as I have had several cases that unfortunately went to trial where a little nudge of the judge would have made them settle. Respectful of those who appear before him regardless of whether that person is an attorney or self-represented. Intelligent.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY5210
Rating:2.0
Comments:
He doesn't pay back the fees when a trial is dismissed or a favorable ruling is issued.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY4757
Rating:9.4
Comments:
I tried a case before Judge Hackeling that was certainly more complex than usual, including expert testimony. When I was being a wiseguy, I got overruled and when I was right, I was sustained. This judge is very practical and gets right down to it. In my opinion, he is far better than several Supreme Court and Federal Court judges I've tried cases before.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY4158
Rating:8.8
Comments:
I have won before him. I have lost before him. Either way, it is a pleasure to appear before him.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY3383
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Anyone with half a brain can tell that he is great judge, just and knows the law in and out; it seems the only people who have a bad word to say about Judge Hackeling are the sore losers who failed to win their case!

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY3147
Rating:10.0
Comments:
My firm appears before Judge Hackeling on a regular basis and based upon this and discussion with my collegues on the other side believe him to be one of the best judges on the bench. Both plaintiff and defense attorneys agree that he is even handed and treats people with respect. I have observed him deal with many pro se litigants all of which get their chance to say their piece and in general, if they listen, know where they stand and what is at risk. Overall he is a pleasure to appear before and while I certainly do not always agree with the decision of the court always believe I had a fair opportunity.

Other

Comment #: NY2915
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Could anyone tell me if this judge is the same judge in the third district court on Long Island? I ask because what he has allowed to happen to my wonderful neighbors is appalling and unjust. He has sided with an obvious squatter/scammer.
I feel sick to my stomach that he is not on a homeowner's side, but on a dirty, lying psycho's side. If I had the money I would totally pay an eviction lawyer to get the cow out of my neighbor's home. The site of that piglet makes me ill and I want her out of my neighborhood. And I wish I knew how to find out, for free if she has warrants in Michigan and Maryland ( 2 states she lived in) and I wish I knew how to find out if she has pulled this crap on other innocent homeowners. She is a real creature from hell.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY2731
Rating:1.0
Comments:
if there were negative ratings available i would use them. He is an absoutley incompentent horror show. Whatever party he represents showed be ashamed of themselves. He has no ability whatsover to the job. The only time he should be on the bench is to clean it at the end of the day after a qualified judge has finished his work!

Litigant

Comment #: NY2601
Rating:1.0
Comments:
the worst. his decision was beyond flawed, not to mention having ex parte discussions with my adversary on at least one or two occasions after I walked out of his courtroom.

Other

Comment #: NY2500
Rating:10.0
Comments:
He gave me my day in court. Fair and just. Listens to both sides and gives everyone a fair chance.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY2463
Rating:1.6
Comments:
There is a reason why Charles Steven Hackeling, a/k/a the Hon. C. Stephen Hackeling, is the most reversed judge in the State. Unfortunately, no one knows what it is. The most tangible theories, in my opinion, based on my experience as an attorney with him, are that he simply does not care what he is doing, i.e., he has no pride or work ethic, or that he is incompetent. One this is certain: he should not be a judge. He simply has no clue what he is doing.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY1733
Rating:10.0
Comments:
By far the most superior judge I have ever had the pleasure to stand before.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY1726
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Fantastic judge. Incredibly knowledgable and just in his rulings.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NY1497
Rating:1.1
Comments:
Has no idea what he is doing. Hearing him on the bench makes one wonder that somewhere a village is missing its idiot. Lacks an understanding that a court is a court of law, which has rules, in this judge's courtroom the rule of law is left outside. Might as well put the black dress on a labotomized lama as have this moron decide a case.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY1496
Rating:1.8
Comments:
The only judge that Professor Siegel of CPLR fame will ridicule during a seminar. Lacks the ability to manage a courtroom. On appeal he holds the record as the Most reversed district court judge in the State.
Should consider paying attention when he is sent to judge school.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY1474
Rating:9.9
Comments:
Extremely patient with pro se litigants. His decisions are even handed and generally gives litigants an idea of the general strengths and weaknesses in their cases to encourage settlement where appropriate. He is one of the best judges I have appeared before.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY1472
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Hackeling is a fine jurist. He is steeped in the law and has a wonderful temperment. He is compassionate to pro se litigants and will never make counsel look bad. He is heeaded for Supreme for sure.

Other

Comment #: NY1436
Rating:9.0
Comments:
His intellect, compassion, and common-sense is impressive. Have never come across a more ethical, decent Judge.

Prosecutor

Comment #: NY1324
Rating:10.0
Comments:
Impressive and fair!!

Other

Comment #: NY1323
Rating:10.0
Comments:
A very poised and respectful individual. He gives everyone a chance to speak.

Other

Comment #: NY1322
Rating:10.0
Comments:
It is quite clear that Judge Hackeling's intellect and unbiased decision making skills stem from a well-rounded background. Since graduating Law School, he has been a lawyer, councilman, and public official. His even keeled nature and judicial mastery are what undoubtedly led to his success.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY1199
Rating:9.9
Comments:
Good listener. Very fair. Tries to give people their day in court.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY188
Rating:9.3
Comments:
Good disposition and very fair to attorneys.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NY85
Rating:7.7
Comments:
Nice, even-tempered judge with common sense. If you have a novel issue of law to argue, be prepared to bring him up to speed with case law in hand, otherwise his decision will be unpredictable.