Watkins
Glen, NY (July 16)--An Elmira man was given a 60-day jail sentence for not
paying past-due child support and violating his probation, following an
appearance in Schuyler County Family Court on Tuesday (July 16, 2019).
According
to County Attorney Steven Getman, the respondent was found in willful violation
of a prior court order because he failed to pay over $2500.00 in back support for
his two children and absconded from probation supervision.
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| Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman |
At
Tuesday’s court appearance, Getman noted that the respondent had been placed on
probation in 2018 for prior violations of the court’s support orders. However, Getman said, the respondent continued
to miss payments and then absconded to California, causing a warrant to be
issued for his arrest.
The
last payment was made in September, 2018, Getman said.
Based
on the evidence, Getman argued, the respondent should be sentenced to jail.
The
respondent was represented by Schuyler County Assistant Public Defender Mark Raniewicz.
Raniewicz asked the court to consider releasing his client on a suspended judgment,
giving him time to make payments.
After
hearing from the attorneys, and the respondent, Acting Schuyler County Family
Court Judge Joseph Cassidy determined that the respondent should be incarcerated. Therefore, he sentenced the respondent to
sixty days in jail, with the opportunity to “purge” the sentence if he paid at
least $1000.00 towards the back child support. Cassidy then ordered the man immediately
taken into custody by court security.
Getman
said he was pleased with the court’s decision.
“This
jail sentence sends a message that will hopefully resonate,” Getman said. “Under
New York State law, parents who willfully fail to obey court orders of child
support can be sentenced to up to six months for contempt of court.”
“Parents
who refuse to support their children can, and will, be punished when
appropriate.”
The
county attorney’s office represents the Department of Social Services and
Probation Department in prosecuting child support cases brought in the family
court by those agencies. In addition,
the office provides support collection services for eligible custodial parents
seeking assistance in establishing and enforcing orders for child support.
The
county attorney’s office was assisted in the prosecution and presentation of
the case by employees of the county’s child support enforcement unit and county
probation department.
The
man’s name was not released to protect the privacy of his children and family.
