Inside the Scarsdale Courthouse

Here's a look at what happened during the village court's March 3 session. Court is in session every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

County Cop's Drunk Driving Case Adjourned

Westchester County Police Officer Joseph Kraus, 35, was allegedly driving drunk Dec. 27 when he ran a red light and struck a Scarsdale Police cruiser, injuring Officer Jessica Knatz. Kraus, a Mt. Vernon resident, refused to take a breathalyzer test at the scene. He pleaded not guilty Jan. 6 and surrendered his driver's license.

On Wednesday the court set up a schedule for Kraus' attorneys and the District Attorney's office to file motions, or formal requests for certain considerations by the court, and to respond to each other's claims. Kraus will be back in court June 2. He and his attorneys refused to comment.

++++++++++++

Judge Decries DA's Plea Policy

Judge Arlene Katz Wednesday took issue with the District Attorney's policy of allowing defendants to plead guilty to a single violation in order to satisfy multiple offenses. She voiced her opposition while hearing the case of Anne Snodgrass, who was pulled over Feb. 11 for talking on her cell phone and was found to have a suspended license as a result of unpaid tickets.

Assistant DA Cindy Adimari offered Snodgrass a deal in which she could plead guilty to a lesser charge in order to satisfy all of the charges against her, which is the general policy of the DA's office. Katz disagreed with the plea, saying the cell phone charge is serious enough to warrant its own punishment. She asked Adimari to discuss the policy with her superiors.

Snodgrass ultimately pleaded guilty to two violations.

++++++++++++

Illegal Immigrant Pleads Guilty in DWI Case

Jose Salas-Tellez, a Connecticut resident, pleaded guilty Wednesday to DWI, a misdemeanor. He was pulled over Feb. 1 for having a broken tail light and was found to have a blood-alcohol content of .16, twice the legal limit. Upon his arrest, authorities found out that Salas-Tellez, a native of Mexico, was on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) watch list after he had failed to renew the visa with which he entered the country.

Salas-Tellez was sentenced Wednesday to a six month license suspension and a $400 fine. However, his lawyer said Salas-Tellez would likely be deported by the end of the week, as his family refused to hire an immigration lawyer.

 ++++++++++++

Case of Alleged "Hungry" Would-Be Car Thief Adjourned

Trevor Frederick, 36, of White Plains, is charged with attempted grand larceny, a misdemeanor, after allegedly trying to steal a 2010 Acura from a driveway on Claremont Road in Scarsdale Jan. 16.

According to police reports, the owner of the car came out of his home and approached the would-be thief, who shouted "I'm hungry! I'm hungry", and then ran off. The owner of the car later picked Frederick's photo out of an array. The defendant has a rap sheet that includes one felony and 13 misdemeanor convictions and four failures to appear in court.

The Assistant District Attorney asked Judge Katz to approve a temporary order of protection for the owner of the car and to set $500 bail. Katz refused the bail, but did issue the protection order. It stipulates that Frederick cannot attempt to contact the owner of the car or his family. The car's owner did not return a call seeking comment.

 ++++++++++++

Felony Charges against White Plains Teens Dropped in Joyride Case

On Jan. 4, three White Plains teens were arrested for allegedly stealing a 2004 BMW from Pepe Motors on Bank Street in White Plains. Two of the boys are 17 and one is 18. They were originally charged with felony unauthorized use of a vehicle and faced up to three years of probation, but the court Wednesday knocked the charges down to misdemeanors, meaning the defendants will be treated as youthful offenders. They will face sentencing in June.

 ++++++++++++

Alleged Saxon Woods Golf Course Thief in Trouble with Yonkers Courts

Katherine Puente Weaver, 27, of Wappingers Falls, is charged with felony grand larceny after allegedly stealing about $4,000 in cash from the Saxon Woods Golf Course, where she worked at the Pro Shop. She is due in Yonkers court later this month to face charges of violating her probation stemming from an unidentified offense. The attorney also asked for time to work out a plan to pay back the stolen money. Judge Katz adjourned the case to April 7.