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The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office arrested 62 individuals for violating orders of protection in 2025, in addition to 37 incarcerated individuals who were charged with similar violations at the county jail, according to a report from Mid-Hudson News.
The 37 inmates at the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center allegedly contacted protected parties despite active orders prohibiting such communication. These violations resulted in 59 criminal charges, including 22 felonies and 37 misdemeanors.
Sheriff Kirk Imperati has made addressing domestic violence a priority through collaboration with Family Services Inc., the county's largest agency supporting domestic violence victims. The Sheriff's Office has established a dedicated Domestic Violence Unit to help victims access necessary programs and services.
"Our continuous in-house and outside training, through the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), Family Services, FBI, NYSP, and the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office, has kept our deputy sheriffs current on changing laws and resources," Sheriff Imperati told Mid-Hudson News. "This collaborative approach promotes resources, safety, and healing for victims and justice and accountability for offenders."
The enforcement efforts come as part of the department's response to domestic violence incidents across the county. In 2025, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office responded to approximately 83,000 calls for service, with more than 537 specifically related to domestic violence situations.
Orders of protection, also known as restraining orders, are legal documents issued by courts to protect individuals from harassment, abuse, or threats from specific people. Violations of these orders can result in additional criminal charges, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the circumstances and prior history.