People v. McCowan

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum,

The order of the County Court should be reversed and the charges dismissed.

On January 19, 1993, defendant was arraigned in Troy City Court on criminal charges and advised simply that a "preliminary order of protection” was being issued. The written order —barring defendant from any contact with the mother of his child — was not served on him. A preexisting Family Court order permitted defendant to visit his child each Saturday. Bail was set at $500.

Two months later, when the child was not brought to the visitation site at the appointed time, defendant became…