People v. Pandiello

OPINION OF THE COURT

Steven M. Statsinger, J.

In a criminal contempt case, the identity of the complainant is an element of the offense. Defendant stands accused of criminal contempt because a police officer saw him speaking to a person that the officer has asserted was the protected party in three orders of protection entered against the defendant. However, the information does not explain either how the officer knew who this person was or how he knew that she was in fact the protected party.

In what appears to be a case of first impression, the court agrees with the defendant that these…