A New York court has denied a motion to dismiss the assault case against Lisa Semidey, affirming that the prosecution met its discovery obligations. This decision impacts how similar cases may be handled in the future, especially regarding the prosecution's duty to disclose evidence.
The Criminal Court of the City of New York, Bronx County, ruled on March 4, 2026, in the case of People v. Semidey, Docket No. CR-018707-25BX. The court's decision means that Semidey will continue to face charges of assault and harassment stemming from an incident in July 2025.
Background
Lisa Semidey was arrested on July 11, 2025, and charged with assault and harassment, violating New York Penal Law. She was arraigned two days later and released on her own recognizance. The case was initially adjourned to September 17, 2025, for the prosecution to file their Certificate of Compliance (COC) regarding discovery materials.
During the proceedings, the prosecution submitted various discovery materials, including body-worn camera footage and other evidence. However, two photos of injuries sustained by the complaining witness were not disclosed until November 12, 2025, after the defense raised concerns about their absence. The defense argued that this failure constituted a violation of the statutory speedy trial requirements.
The Ruling
Judge Ralph L. Wolf presided over the case and ultimately denied the defense's motion to dismiss. The court found that the prosecution had exercised due diligence in disclosing evidence and that the omission of the two photos was inadvertent. The court stated, "the prosecution satisfied their due diligence obligation" and that the belatedly disclosed photos were not significant enough to warrant dismissal.
The judge further noted that the prosecution's failure to include the photos in the initial COC was not a sufficient reason to strike the COC or the later filed Supplemental COC (SCOC). The court concluded that the prosecution was ready for trial within the required 90 days, as mandated by CPL § 30.30.
Impact
This ruling sets a precedent regarding the prosecution's discovery obligations in misdemeanor cases. It emphasizes that inadvertent errors in disclosure may not necessarily lead to dismissal of charges if the prosecution can demonstrate that they acted in good faith and complied with discovery requirements.
The decision also highlights the importance of timely communication between the prosecution and defense regarding evidence. As this case moves forward, it may influence how similar cases are handled, particularly in terms of what constitutes adequate diligence in disclosing evidence.
What's Next
Details were not available in the court filing regarding the possibility of an appeal. The case will proceed through the criminal justice system as Semidey continues to face charges. It remains to be seen if further legal actions will arise from this ruling.