FAMILY COURTKelley Dunn
CHIEF Angela Albertus DEPUTY
The Family Court Division is divided into two subunits—Interstate Child Support and Juvenile Crime Prosecution. The
Interstate Child Support Unit represents out-of-state petitioners seeking child support from New York City residents.
The Juvenile Crime Prosecution Unit, which houses the Major Case Unit and the Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit,
prosecutes juveniles accused of committing crimes. In cases where the Family Court ?nds guilt, attorneys then seek
dispositions that balance juveniles’ needs and best interests with public safety concerns. Attorneys handle a wide
variety of cases, including assaults, robberies, weapons possession, drug offenses, sex offenses, and homicides.
Successful Juvenile Prosecutions
The following cases illustrate the range of serious offenses the Division prosecutes:
Sex Attack at a School - The Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit prosecuted Niquel M., a 13-year-old boy, who attacked a
younger schoolmate in a public school and forced him to perform sexual acts. Niquel M. was placed on probation for
two years (the maximum term of probation permitted under the law) upon the condition that he complete a sex offender
treatment program. A final order of protection was issued on the victim’s behalf.
Gunpoint Robbery Involving Toddler - Shy-kym S., age 12, was arrested after he robbed a Brooklyn woman, with her
toddler present, at gunpoint. This was Shy-kym S.’s second arrest on robbery charges within two-and-a-half weeks.
Following a trial, he was found guilty of second-degree Robbery, a class C felony, and was sentenced to up to 18 months
in a juvenile facility, the maximum sentence permitted for this offense.
Fatal Arson Fire - Darshawn S. was arrested on arson charges after lighting a mattress on fire in his brownstone apartment
building. The fire spread quickly, killing one tenant and injuring others. The teen pled guilty to criminally negligent homicide.
Following lengthy legal proceedings and over the Division’s strenuous objection, Darshawn S. was placed on a 24-month
term of probation conditioned upon his cooperation with a community-based program.
Success With Alternative Sentencing Initiative
When delinquent youth are not a significant risk to public safety, the Division works to identify and access appropriate services
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