Second Amendment Legal Update, May 2026

A monthly update, prepared for the Schuyler County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. NY, a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the 2nd Amendment rights for the residents of New York State. For a complete copy of this month’s report, click here.

Schuyler County Commemorates May 1 as “Law Day”

Law Day is Friday (May 1) and the Schuyler County Legislature has recognized as the Law Day 2026 theme, “the Rule of Law and the American Dream.”

The legislature passed a resolution at its April 13, 2026 meeting, recognizing “Law Day” as an occasion of public acknowledgement of our Nation’s heritage of justice, liberty, and equality under the law.

The resolution was submitted to the legislature by Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman.

“The Rule of Law ensures the rights of the people to live their lives as freely as possible and to pursue their dreams,” Getman wrote. “The rule serves as a vital bulwark of liberty by ensuring that governance is based on established, neutral legal principles rather than the arbitrary power of officials, guaranteeing equal treatment under the law, protecting individual rights against state abuse, and maintaining representative government through due process.”

In passing the resolution, the legislature called upon all Schuyler County residents “to observe this day together and to reflect on how the Rule of Law protects liberty and ensures all residents have the ability to fulfill their dreams.”

The measure was supported unanimously by the members present.

May 1, 2026 is the 69th Law Day. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Law Day Proclamation to mark our nation’s commitment to the rule of law. Each year the American Bar Association selects an annual theme for Law Day.

A copy of Schuyler County’s resolution “Recognizing and Commemorating ‘Law Day’ in Schuyler County” is available here

April 19-25 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

This year marks the 45th annual National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, first proclaimed in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan. The 2026 theme is “Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities.”

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is an important time to honor the strength and resilience of survivors, recognize the dedicated professionals and organizations that support them, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring victims’ voices are heard in the justice system. Crime affects people physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually, and no one should face those impacts alone.
The week highlights the more than 12,000 victim service programs nationwide that provide critical support, backed by more than 32,000 laws protecting victims’ rights. It also encourages communities to confront barriers to justice, forge partnerships and strengthen services for survivors.
For more information about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, resources and ways to get involved, visit the Office for Victims of Crime website at ovc.ojp.gov/ncvrw2026 or the National Center for Victims of Crime at victimsofcrime.org.

Schuyler County to Consider Joining New $97.6 million Opioid Settlement

 The Schuyler County Legislature will review and consider a resolution authorizing participation in a new national opioid settlement at its meeting on Monday, April 13, 2026.

The proposed resolution would authorize Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman to finalize the county’s participation in a settlement with six regional pharmaceutical distributors, collectively referred to as the “Remnant Defendants.” The agreement, if finalized, would resolve the county’s claims against those entities while allowing litigation against remaining defendants to continue.

According to Getman, under the proposed agreement, the six defendants will collectively pay approximately $97.6 million nationwide to support opioid abatement efforts. Each participating municipality, including Schuyler County, will receive a one-time payment. The specific amount allocated to Schuyler County is still being calculated based on a national formula, he said.

The measure has already advanced through the county’s committee process, receiving approval from the Management and Finance Committee on March 23, 2026, and the Legislative Resolution Review Committee on April 8, 2026.

Funds from the settlement would be used for approved opioid abatement strategies, including prevention programs, treatment services, naloxone distribution, and support for vulnerable populations affected by opioid addiction.

“This proposed settlement represents another step forward in holding opioid distributors accountable while delivering meaningful resources to our community,” Getman said. “While the exact amount is still being determined, these funds will directly support evidence-based strategies to combat opioid addiction and its impacts in Schuyler County.”

Schuyler County Administrator Shawn Rosno emphasized the importance of continued investment in public health efforts.

“Schuyler County has remained committed to addressing the opioid crisis through litigation and collaboration,” Rosno said. “Participation in this settlement will help strengthen our ability to fund prevention, treatment and recovery programs that serve our residents at no additional costs to our taxpayers.”

Schuyler County began pursuing legal action related to the opioid crisis in 2017, when the Legislature authorized Getman to work with outside counsel to seek damages from opioid manufacturers and distributors.

In 2018, the county adopted a local law declaring the opioid epidemic a public nuisance and filed a comprehensive lawsuit against multiple opioid supply chain participants, including manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies.

Since 2021, Schuyler County has secured over $862,000 in opioid-related settlements, including $121,000 from Johnson & Johnson, $546,000 from distributors McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc., and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation, $41,000 from Actavis Inc., $116,000 from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and $38,000 from Sandoz Inc.

These settlements are part of a broader national effort to hold companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis and to fund long-term recovery and prevention programs at the local level.

Schuyler County remains committed to pursuing additional claims in the ongoing litigation to address the opioid epidemic’s devastating impact, Getman said.

Second Amendment Legal Update, April 2026

A monthly update, prepared for the Schuyler County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. NY, a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the 2nd Amendment rights for the residents of New York State. For a complete copy of this month’s report, click here.

Schuyler County Boater Safety Course Announced

The Schuyler County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol Unit will be hosting a free two-day New York State Boater's Safety Course on Monday, March 30 and Tuesday March 31, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm both nights. For more information, see below.

Federal Court Upholds New York's Limits on Unauthorized Practice of Law

A recent federal court decision in New York has reinforced longstanding restrictions on the unauthorized practice of law, highlighting the balance between access to justice and protecting the public from unqualified legal advice. The case, Upsolve Inc. v. James, centered on a nonprofit organization's effort to use non-lawyers to provide free legal guidance in debt-collection lawsuits. The program trained non-lawyers, called Justice Advocates, to help low-income individuals complete a standard one-page answer form in response to debt-collection suits, where default judgments occur in up to 90% of cases.

The litigation began in January 2022 when Upsolve filed suit against New York Attorney General Letitia James in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Upsolve, along with the Rev. John Udo-Okon, challenged New York's unauthorized practice of law rules, arguing they violated First Amendment rights by limiting their American Justice Movement program. In May 2022, U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty granted a preliminary injunction, finding the rules likely unconstitutional as content-based restrictions on speech, subject to strict scrutiny.

The judge noted the program's safeguards, including training, ethical guidelines and referrals for complex matters, and concluded the rules were overbroad.

The state appealed, and in September 2025, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the injunction. The appeals court ruled the unauthorized practice rules were content-neutral and should be reviewed under intermediate scrutiny, a less stringent standard. The case was sent back to the district court for further review. On March 5, 2026, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed the complaint, upholding the rules. Kaplan found the restrictions advanced important government interests without unduly burdening speech.

This outcome underscores key public policy reasons for maintaining limits on unauthorized legal practice. New York's rules, enforced through civil, criminal and contempt proceedings, require legal practitioners to meet rigorous standards: a law degree, passage of the bar exam and demonstration of good character. These measures protect consumers from incompetent, inexperienced or unethical advice, particularly in individualized cases like debt disputes, where poor guidance can lead to severe financial harm. The rules also safeguard the integrity of the justice system by ensuring ethical behavior and independence among those providing legal services. Court have long recognized that unregulated advice poses risks, especially in organized programs where non-lawyers might face conflicts or lack accountability.

While programs like Upsolve's aim to improve access to justice, the decision emphasizes that such goals must not compromise public protection.

For those needing legal help, options abound beyond unauthorized sources. Individuals should contact the New York State Bar Association's lawyer referral service, a local indigent legal services provider or a competent local attorney of their own choosing.

New York State Judicial Conduct Commission Releases Annual Report of Activity

In the 2026 Annual Report of its activities for 2025, released March 2, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct reported the following:

• 582 preliminary inquiries were conducted.
• 330 full-fledged investigations were conducted
• 28 judges resigned while under investigation
• 7 judges were publicly censured.
• 3 judges were publicly admonished.
• 31 judges were issued confidential cautionary letters.
• 190 matters were pending at year’s end.

The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct is an independent state agency that reviews complaints of ethical misconduct against the 3,500 judges and justices of the State Unified Court System and, where appropriate, renders public disciplinary Determinations.

The 2026 annual report is available here.

Schuyler County Legislature Set to Tackle Grants, Budget Items at March Meeting

The Schuyler County Legislature will consider a range of resolutions involving public safety grants, county facility improvements and intergovernmental contracts when it meets Monday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m. in the legislative chambers at the county courthouse complex.

The meeting is part of the Legislature’s regular monthly session, typically held on the second Monday of each month, during which lawmakers review and vote on resolutions previously examined by the Legislature Resolution Review Committee.

Among the more significant items on the agenda are several resolutions related to victim assistance services, emergency communications infrastructure and county building improvements.

Several measures involve county facilities and operational contracts. Legislators are expected to vote on accepting a bid from Stark Tech Services LLC for generator and uninterruptible power supply testing and maintenance at county facilities through 2029. The contract would cost approximately $23,240 in 2026, with additional costs scheduled in later years.

Two resolutions would also set public hearings on proposed uses of repair reserve funds. One hearing would address plans to upgrade a bathroom in the county jail dormitory, while another would consider relocating piping in the Emergency Management server room.

Additional agenda items include authorization to advertise for courtroom renovation bids, approval of bids for county supplies, surplus property declarations and appointments to county boards and committees.

As with regular legislative meetings, the session will include opportunities for public comment before and after legislative business.

The meeting will take place at 105 Ninth St. in Watkins Glen and is open to the public.

Second Amendment Legal Update, March 2026

A monthly update, prepared for the Schuyler County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. NY, a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the 2nd Amendment rights for the residents of New York State. For a complete copy of this month’s report, click here.