People v. Lawler

OPINION OF THE COURT

Joseph Harris, J.

Defendant appeals from a judgment of the Justice Court of *662the Town of Bethlehem (Fritts, J.) convicting the defendant after a jury trial of the crime of obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, in violation of section 195.05 of the Penal Law, a class A misdemeanor.

The issue involved is whether or not the police, sua sponte, have the authority to enforce a Family Court order of visitation. The court concludes they do not, but that a Family Court order of visitation can be enforced only through the contempt powers and procedures of the…