Free Newsletter
Fourth Department – Attorney for the child: Lockhart v. Monica
Daily Record Staff//June 25, 2026//
Listen to this articleNew York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department
Attorney for the child — Family offense petition — Standing
CAF 24-01514
Appealed from Family Court, Onondaga County
Background: At issue on appeal is whether an attorney for the child may file a family offense petition on behalf of a child against a nonparent. The underlying facts include a grandmother who made repeated phone calls to the police regarding the child following a temporary order of custody that was issued. The AOC filed a family offense petition citing harassment and the grandmother moved to dismiss. She appealed from the denial of her motion.
Ruling: The Appellate Division affirmed. The court held the AOC has authority and does not lack standing to do so.
Thomas L. Pelych for the respondent-appellant; Beth A. Lockhart, attorney for the child.
Case Digests
- Fourth Department – Judicial misconduct: Pitts-Davis v. The Onondaga County DA
- Second Circuit – Property demolition: Levin, Vodka Properties LLC v. City of Buffalo
- Fourth Department – Child custody: McDuffie v. Coleman
- Fourth Department – Certificate of compliance: People v. Jones
- Fourth Department – Attorney for the child: Lockhart v. Monica
- Fourth Department – Disclosure: Kelly v. Snap-On Inc., et al.
- Fourth Department – Assumption of risk: State of New York
- Fourth Department – Presentence report: People v. Johnson
- Second Circuit – Appellate jurisdiction: United States v. Robinson
- Fourth Department – Right to represent oneself: People v. Howard
- Fourth Department – Res judicata: Happy Lake House LLC v. Cross, et al.
Law News
- Attorney and law firm sanctioned for AI mistakes in court filing
- New rule requires NY judges to visit detention sites
- Split NY Court of Appeals affirms assault conviction
- NY Court of Appeals reverses manslaughter conviction
- NY Court of Appeals affirms attempted murder conviction
- Barclay Damon expands offices in Boston and New Haven
- Court of Appeals orders new trial in child porn case
- NY appeals court reverses burglary conviction over plea issue
Polls
Loading ...