Wilna, New York is a small town in northern NY State, in the southeast corner of Jefferson County. The 2000 U.S. Census had Wilna with a population of 6,235. The Fort Drum Military Reservation has grown into Wilna’s 70-square-mile territory as it has also done in LeRay, NY. Watertown, NY is approximately 10 miles west of the Wilna town center. The town is serviced by NY State Routes 3 and 3A.

Prior to 1813, the area now called Wilna was actually in portions of then LeRay and Leyden as well as a portion of "great lot number 4 of the Macomb purchase." It was also part of Lewis County before acquisition by Jefferson County. There is no reliable information on the naming of Wilna. However, it has been said that the name was derived from Wilna, in Russia. It has also been alleged to be named after the German spelling of Vilnius, in commemoration of the French occupation of Vilnius, Lithuania in 1812.

Wilna belongs to RACOG, The River Area Council of Governments, along with the town of Champion and the Villages of Carthage and West Carthage. The intent of RACOG is to identify opportunities for cooperation that will enhance the quality of life and improve service delivery in local towns and villages. council maintains offices at 10 North Broad Street, Carthage.

The town of Wilna maintains a Justice Court on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in the Village of Carthage Municipal Building at 120 South Mechanic Street, Carthage NY.

At the county court level, Jefferson County District Attorney is responsible for the prosecution of all violations of the law occurring within the boundaries of the county. Currently this includes prosecution in all courts in the county for violations of the penal, Alcoholic Beverage Control, agricultural and markets, vehicle and traffic, tax, environmental conservation law, and municipal ordinances. The County District Attorney delegates prosecution of municipal ordinances to the municipalities' attorneys. Wilna is part of the Jefferson County Court system. Wills, estates, adoption, and guardianships are handled at the county level by the Jefferson County Surrogate's Court in Watertown, NY.

The statewide Supreme Court generally hears cases outside the authority of the lower courts such as civil matters and personal injury cases beyond the monetary limits of the lower courts’ jurisdiction. The Supreme Court is also the primary court for divorce, separation and annulment proceedings, and criminal prosecution of felonies. The Jefferson County Court and the statewide Supreme Court come under the administration of The NY State 5th Judicial District Court. The Jefferson County Court is located at Jefferson County Court Complex, 163 Arsenal Street, Watertown, NY. Jefferson County Supreme Court is in the State Office Building, 317 Washington St., Watertown, NY.

Schoolchildren in Wilna attend the Carthage Central School District which consists of the Carthage Elementary School, West Carthage Elementary School, Black River Elementary School, Carthage Middle School, and the Carthage High School. Carthage Central Schools offer continuing Adult Education Courses throughout the school year.