Christopher W. Folk, Esq.

02/08/2022

Surrogate's Court Research has proven to be an interesting area. Another win, at the AD. This was a fascinating case and insightful in terms of testamentary capacity and due ex*****on.

05/26/2021

As we approach the Memorial Day Weekend, take a brief moment to consider why we have this long weekend. It is about more than the summer kick-off or a chance to enjoy our new-found "maskless" freedom.

For some of us, the memories and the reverence for the fallen are with us each and every day. On this weekend, however, the thanks of a nation and of a people living under the freedoms afforded by those that came before us are extended to all those who gave their lives in service to our country.

For some their physical wounds proved their undoing, for others the scars from battles were internal and ultimately their mental wounds prevailed. For those of us still here, we cherish the knowledge that our freedoms, our liberty, our very way of life was, and has been paid for in the blood of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

This Memorial Day, please take some time to reflect, to pause, and to consider the lives given in service to our nation. When you see the stars and stripes this weekend, please consider how grave the debt is that we owe those mighty fallen -- they are gone but they should never be forgotten for it is their lives that make our own existence possible.

Memorial Day and the surrounding weekend can be a difficult time as we remember and reflect. Please be respectful, please be courteous, and if you see a Veteran, or anyone that seems to be silently suffering -- reach out and inquire. Start a conversation, engage, maybe they have a story to share, maybe they just want to know someone is listening.

11/11/2019

What began as Armistice Day is now Veterans Day. We may not know all of you to whom a debt of a grateful nation is owed, but we honor you on this day, we remember the sacrifices made, the efforts you expended to further freedom and democracy.

Thank you Veterans, without you our Country would be surely lost.

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” -- President Woodrow Wilson -- 1919 Proclamation

In 1954, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

"The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." -- Abraham Lincoln

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." -- President George Washington

11/06/2019

Congratulations to Mark Sinkiewicz who it appears is going to be the next Seneca County District Attorney!!!

Thanks to everyone for being part of this process and for coming out to vote today and throughout the early voting process.

—CWF

11/06/2019

The polls have officially closed and all that remains is a final tabulation and transmittal of the results. For many, this marks the final period of unknowing as we anxiously await our "fate" as it is.

In the words of Julius Caesar as he crossed the Rubicon "Alea iacta est" -- or the famous translation "let the die be cast." Signifying that whatever will be, will be and there is no going back.

Our Rubicon came when we/I decided to push onward in a post-primary context and try to run a grassroots campaign on minor party lines against a political machine. Soon, the results of that will be fully ascertained, win, or lose, I placed my community and my hope for the future above the needs of my family, and specifically my wife, I hope that like Caesar's bold move, my decision also bears fruit and in the end does not exact a higher price than I am able to pay.

Thus, let me first and foremost thank my family and my wife who have supported me and stood by me throughout this arduous journey. Theirs was a sacrifice demanded, not asked, and they therefore deserve the highest praise and respect. In the absence of their ongoing support this would have been an impossible undertaking.

Secondly, I want to thank all of my friends, my supporters, the people that showed up at events, helped place signs, helped make calls, helped distribute literature, helped to reach out and spread our message, and got involved in the process. Without each of you, we would have never made it this far.

Fate: come and get me, I'm ready for you.

From Seneca County, for Seneca County

11/05/2019

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019
Election Day
We are fortunate to live in the USA for a myriad of reasons not the least of which is our ability to collectively come together to cast ballots and elect our leaders and representatives. Please exercise your right to vote today!

Seneca County: Polls open 0600-2100 (6:00AM - 9:00PM)
For polling locations visit: voteseneca.org; or call the BOE at 315-539-1760.

Please Vote Folk on either the Libertarian, the SAM, or the Working Families Line

From Seneca County, for Seneca County

11/04/2019

Retribution, Rehabilitation, and Recidivism

11/04/2019

Discovery Reform: The need to leverage technology and workflows

11/04/2019

As an update to the Bovio matter: this was a case that received international coverage due to the particularly heinous treatment and abhorrent death that young Peter faced while being subjected to weeks of abuse. Both Donald and Alison received minimum sentences for this horrific crime via plea deals without any of this ever seeing the light of day and going to trial. In fact, not one case has gone to trial in county court all year, in spite of an average of ~8 trials/year for the past 6 years.

Alison Bovio was defended by John Nabinger, and Mark Sinkiewicz extended the offer to both Alison as well as Donald. Even more alarming, the acting DA accompanied defense Attorney Nabinger in arguing for a reduced sentence less than what the Judge had wanted to impose.

For victims like young Peter, it is the job of the DA to be their voice, to defend the victims and to make our community safer. This is not the type of message that will be sent to the community from a Folk DA office. Not every case can or should go to trial, but some cases must. The People deserve for evil to see the light of day and for the most serious crimes to be fully and faithfully prosecuted.

From FLTimes:
"Acting District Attorney Mark Sinkiewicz recommended a sentence of 3¼-9½ years, calling it a “middle ground” and adding that Donald Bovio’s guilty plea was due in large part to Alison agreeing to testify against him."

"Alison’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender John Nabinger, said there is no evidence Alison ever took part in abusing Peter. "
- FLTimes July 19, 2019 [Mike Hibbard]

https://www.fltimes.com/news/seneca-falls-woman-sentenced-for-son-s-death/article_9620aee8-351d-50b5-baf7-a89580c42ffc.html

Hours before his trial was set to begin - a Seneca Falls man pleaded guilty to killing his 3-year-old stepson last year. The Finger Lakes Times reports that Acting Seneca County District Attorney Mark Sinkiewicz said Donald Bovio pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder in the death of Panagiot...