Northport Court Report: Felony Charge Reduced

Elizabeth Ochoa was granted a two-month adjournment in contemplation of dismissal for a reduced charge of criminal contempt in the second degree (a violation of Section 215.50-3 of the New York State Penal Law) during 's June 13 session.

Ochoa was originally charged with first-degree criminal contempt (PL 215.51) and second-degree harassment (PL 240.26-1) before she was offered an ACOD for the reduced first charge. If she abides by the law over the next two months, the first charge will be dismissed and sealed, while the second charge will be separately dismissed.

Michael and Stephen Pergolizzi, each  with second-degree robbery (PL 160.10-1) and third-degree assault (PL 120.00-1), re-appeared in court, where a speedy trial waiver was dropped by their defense attorney. It was revealed that the Suffolk County District Attorney's office was having trouble communicating with the complaining witness. The case was adjourned for two weeks to allow time for the DA's office to straighten their issues out.

An appearance from Peter Madsen, charged with two DWI offenses, revealed that the DA had an offer of three years' probation with an undetermined restitution amount on the table in the case. Madsen's defense attorney requested a month's adjournment in the case in order to review a newly-submitted discovery document provided by the DA's office. He will next appear in court on July 11.

Two one-year ACODs were offered to two women facing charges of marijuana possession (PL 221.05). Both Julia Jindra-Cotilla and Mary Waldron were offered the ACODs after they re-appeared in court with counsel. A third woman facing a marijuana possession charge and two traffic violations was unable to obtain a lawyer for the June 13 court date, so her case was adjourned to the following week.

Gregory Greathouse, who pleaded guilty to three separate charges , was expected to be sentenced on June 13, but his case was adjourned until July 25 because the Suffolk County Probation Department failed to file a pre-sentence report in his case.

Timothy Driscoll returned to Northport court, where he revealed that he was 12 hours short of a 140-hour community service requirement, as well as $500 short of a $1,400 restitution payment. He was granted until July 11 to make up the difference. Barry Miller was also given an extension to September 12 to pay the remaining $3,o0o of restitution in his case.

On the traffic ticket front, 20-year-old Daniel Hardy had a traffic device violation reduced to a 1201 A parking ticket upon proof that he completed a defensive driving course. He was sentenced to a $100 fine, which will be paid by July 11.

With preliminary jurisdiction over felonies and general trial jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic infractions and local ordinance violations, Village Court is in session every Monday at 7 p.m. except state holidays in . The Clerk’s Office is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and can be reached by calling 757-0935.

Other helpful numbers:

• Suffolk County District Attorney (criminal, traffic & all state offenses): (631) 853-7500
• Northport Village Prosecuting Attorney - Karen Kerr, Esq. (local ordinance matters): (631) 271-7560
• Suffolk County Legal Aid Society: (631) 853-5212
• Suffolk County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Information Service: (631) 234-5511