Several county officials, including the district attorney and county attorney, are warning that there could be civil or criminal penalties for people in St. Lawrence County disobeying the New York State on PAUSE order.

The PAUSE order bans public gatherings of more than a few people, and directs all non-essential businesses to close.

The governor’s directives make local authorities responsible for enforcement of these provisions.

Non-compliance by businesses and other venues may be subject to enforcement from primarily local authorities. In some cases state authorities may step in. That could include law enforcement, district or county attorneys, code enforcement, and regulatory agencies like the state Liquor Authority or Department of State.

Depending on the circumstances, penalties can range from a simple verbal or written warning, or a misdemeanor charge that could include jail time, or in some cases, a fine of up to $10,000.

Charges include:

• Violation of uniform code/local building code – violation, penalties vary and may result in loss of occupancy certificate

• Violation of health law – civil violation; up to $2,000 fine for a first-time violation, up to $5,000 for a repeat violation

• Willful violation of health law – criminal misdemeanor; up to $10,000 fine for a first-time violation or up to one year imprisonment

• Violation of state license or certification – financial penalty or loss of license or certification as governed by respective statutes or regulations. For example, State Liquor Authority-licensed entity violation is civil penalty with up to a $10,000 fine or loss of license

• Disorderly conduct – violation, up to $250 fine or up to 15 days imprisonment

• Second-degree criminal nuisance – Class B criminal misdemeanor with up to a $500 fine or up to three months of imprisonment

• Second-degree obstructing governmental administration – Class A criminal misdemeanor with up to $1,000 fine or up to one year imprisonment.

St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua is responsible for the criminal prosecutions of alleged violators, urged residents to comply with the directives.

In a prepared statement, he said “The St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office encourages everyone to abide by the Governor’s Executive Orders, engage in safe social distancing, and stay home. No one wants to be in this situation and everyone wants to see the day when they can go about their lives with as little disruption as possible but we continue to delay that day by gathering, engaging in non-essential work, and otherwise failing to adhere to social distancing policies. Whether you are a business or an individual, you must observe the Governor’s directives.”

County Attorney Stephen Button, who is responsible for the civil prosecutions of alleged violations, echoed the District Attorney’s position.

“According to the Governor and the State Officials leading the New York COVID-19 response, we still have a long way to go in order to win the fight against the illness,” Button said. “It is imperative that we, as a community, safeguard our most vulnerable populations by abiding by the Governor’s Executive Orders. Failure to do so may result in violators facing civil and criminal penalties. Stay home, limit travel, and abide by the executive orders.”

St. Lawrence County Administrator Ruth Doyle said, “All of the tools at the County’s disposal are being utilized to engage and defeat the COVID-19 communicable illness. While we wish everyone would observe the guidance issued by the State of New York, for those who will not adhere to the directives, the County will move swiftly to curtail the offending behavior and protect the most vulnerable of our population.”

St. Lawrence County Sheriff Brooks Bigwarfe said, “We would sincerely appreciate every citizen’s cooperation during this period. We are at a very critical time and the models that I have been provided are very adverse in the next few weeks. Please stay home, practice social distancing, and follow all public health directives.”

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