Schuyler County Attorney Urges Safe Driving During Labor Day Holiday

Schuyler County Attorney Steven J. Getman reminds motor vehicle operators to drive safely during the Labor Day holiday, as New York State Police and local law enforcement increase patrols and sobriety checkpoints through Monday, September 1, 2025, as part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. 

The Labor Day weekend, a peak travel period, often sees a surge in accidents due to reckless, intoxicated, or distracted driving. 

To protect our community, Getman emphasizes the importance of responsible driving and highlights the following:

• Avoid Impaired Driving: Driving while intoxicated (DWI) or impaired by drugs is a serious crime. In New York, a DWI is defined as a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher, with aggravated DWI at .18 or higher. Penalties for a first DWI include fines of $500-$1,000, up to a year in jail, a $750 driver responsibility assessment over three years, and a license revocation for at least six months. Aggravated DWI carries fines of $1,000-$2,500 and at least a one-year license revocation. Under Leandra’s Law, all DWI convictions require an ignition interlock device. 
• Felony DWI Charges: Repeat DWIs within ten years can escalate to felonies, with a second offense (Class E felony) carrying fines of $1,000-$5,000 and up to four years in jail, and a third offense (Class D felony) up to $2,000-$10,000 and seven years in jail. DWIs involving a child under 16, serious injury, or death can result in felony charges, with penalties up to 25 years in prison for fatal crashes under Leandra’s Law. Commercial drivers face stricter rules, with a BAC limit of .04, and school bus drivers risk felony charges if impaired with students on board. 
• Eliminate Distractions: Using handheld mobile phones or electronic devices while driving is illegal in New York, except for emergency calls to 911. Violations carry fines of $50-$293 and add five points to your driving record. 
• Drive Responsibly: Obey speed limits, wear seat belts, and stay focused to reduce risks. Plan ahead for heavy traffic and ensure your vehicle is road-ready.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation support this initiative, partially funding enforcement efforts. Drivers are encouraged to download the free “Have a Plan” mobile app (available for Windows, Apple, and Android) to locate taxi or rideshare services, designate sober drivers, learn DWI laws, and report suspected impaired drivers. 
“Let’s make this Labor Day safe for everyone,” Getman said. “By driving sober, staying focused, and following traffic laws, we can prevent tragedies and ensure our community enjoys the holiday.” 

Second Amendment Legal Update, July 2025

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.

Briefing on the 2025-26 Adopted State Budget

On May 8, the Governor and the State Legislature finally reached an agreement on a $254 billion spending plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year which began on April 1.

The New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) has published its summary of key initiatives included in the Adopted State Budget.

The document, which is regularly updated, is available on the NYCOM website.

NYCOM reports that the Adopted State Budget continues to fund the $50 million in Temporary Municipal Assistance from last year and includes a $50 million increase in CHIPS funding. In addition, the budget contains a number of provisions related to public safety and municipal government, including:

• Revised Involuntary Commitment and Assisted Outpatient Treatment
• Streamlining and Clarifing Criminal Case Discovery Requirements
• Virtual Appearances in Certain Criminal Proceedings
• Unlicensed Sale of Cannabis Enforcement
• Volunteer Fire Infrastructure and Response Equipment
• Water and Sewer Infrastructure Funding

A copy of the update, current as of May 13, 2025 appears below.

NYCOM Briefing on the 2025-26 Adopted State Budget by Steven Getman on Scribd

Second Amendment Legal Update: April 2025

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.

Second Amendment Legal Update: March, 2025

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.

Second Amendment Legal Update, February 2025

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.

Second Amendment Legal Update, January 2025

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.

New Hope Card Program to Enhance Safety of Domestic Violence Survivors

Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman wants Domestic Violence Survivors to know about the implementation this month of the Hope Card program, a new initiative of the New York Courts that will further enhance the safety of domestic violence survivors, family court litigants and of crime victims generally.

“A Hope Card is a portable version and/or summary of an order of protection,” Getman said. “Parties with final orders of protection may request and receive, free of cost, a physical Hope Card, a digital Hope Card, or both, which they can carry in their wallet, pocket, or on their cell phone.”

“An order of protection is issued by a court to limit the behavior of someone who harms or threatens to harm another person,” he continued. “It is used to address various types of safety issues, including, but not limited to situations involving domestic violence, child abuse and neglect and crime victim safety. Family courts, criminal courts and supreme courts can all issue orders of protection where legally authorized.”

According to Getman, the physical Hope Card is a durable, wallet-sized card with a summary of the information on the order and a link to a digital image of the order. A digital Hope Card is a digital image of the order. Physical Hope Cards are sent to the protected party by mail, while digital Hope Cards are sent by email or text message, with a secure link to the digital image.

“Protected parties can readily provide vital information regarding orders of protection quickly and effectively to law enforcement in an emergency,” Getman said. “The cards will also enable protected parties to share the details of an order with their school, workplace, family or friends.”

Implementation of the Hope Card program follows passage last year in New York State of the Hope Card Act, designed to empower domestic violence survivors to enforce their orders of protection, Getman noted.

A Hope Card request can be made online or by filing a Hope Card Request form with the court clerk’s office at any Criminal, Family, or Supreme court. Hope Card Request forms are available online or at a criminal, family, or supreme courthouse.

Copies of the request form will also be available online at the Schuyler County Attorney’s Office webpage.

The Schuyler County Attorney is the legal advisor for county government. The Schuyler County Attorney's Office also serves as “presentment agency,” prosecuting cases of juveniles accused of crimes or delinquent behavior in Family Court as well as the attorney for the Department of Social Services when investigating and prosecuting Family Court cases of child abuse and neglect.

For more information about Hope Cards and who can request them, click here.WENY News

Second Amendment Legal Update, November 2024

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.

Second Amendment Legal Update, October 2024

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.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity to Start the Conversation about this important issue in all aspects of your life and show those impacted by domestic violence

that they are not alone. Whether you share the NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline number, join one of our Domestic Violence 101 trainings, or wear purple on October 19 for #PurpleThursday, this page is designed to share ways you can be an ally this October and all year long!

Here are some highlights of this month’s activities:

• Every Tuesday in October: Domestic Violence 101.
• October 1: New York State Assets lit up in purple
• October 17-19: The New York State Clothesline Project in the Empire State Plaza Concourse. The exhibit will focus on providing a platform for survivors to help them break the silence surrounding their abuse.
• October 19: Wear purple in honor of #PurpleThursday
• October 19: New York State Assets lit up in purple
• October 25: Start the Conversation: Engaging Men and Boys panel at Syracuse University
• All October: A social media campaign to help people #StartTheConversation in all aspects of their life

And locally, on Oct. 10 in Schuyler County, members of the community will gather in LaFayette Park in Watkins Glen from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Second Amendment Legal Update: September 2024

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.

Second Amendment Legal Update, July 2024

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.

Second Amendment Legal Update: June, 2024

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.

Second Amendment Legal Update: May, 2024

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.

Second Amendment Legal Update: April 2024

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.

Second Amendment Legal Update, February 2024

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.

Second Amendment Legal Update, January 2024

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.

Second Amendment Legal Update, December 2023

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.

Second Amendment Legal Update: November 2023

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.