Judges fail to grant protection order after violent domestic attack

May 1, 2024
6:00 am

ROSENDALE – A 26-year-old Kerhonkson man was arrested on Saturday, April 27, by Rosendale Police after the officers responded to a report of domestic violence, but no judge was available hear the case. Jordan Mahany, 26, was charged with a felony and three misdemeanors but was not arraigned due to a lack of response from six different town justices in the area.

According to Rosendale Chief Scott Schaffrick, Mahany was charged with felony unlawful imprisonment, two counts of misdemeanor criminal obstruction of breathing or circulation, and misdemeanor assault.

Police were unable to assist the victim in obtaining an order of protection because no local judges were available to sign the order or arraign Mahany, despite New York State Criminal Procedure Law.

Chief Schaffrick said his officers attempted to contact judges in the towns of Rosendale, Marbletown, New Paltz, and Ulster but none answered the phone call from police seeking an after-hours arraignment.

Schaffrick, who serves as the president of the Police Chiefs Association of Ulster County, expressed his displeasure with the situation, telling Mid Hudson News, “I am absolutely annoyed and disheartened that our elected judges continue to play games, thereby holding our criminal justice system hostage. He questioned, “At what point are we going to protect the victims of domestic violence?”