Attorney Karl C. Seman is representing John Kennedy, a Bay Shore High School art teacher, in a misdemeanor case now pending in Suffolk County. On Friday, September 4, 2026, Mr. Kennedy pleaded not guilty to a charge of stalking in the fourth degree at his arraignment in Suffolk County First District Court in Central Islip.
NBC New York covered the arraignment and spoke with Mr. Seman about the case.
Watch the video
Read the NBC New York report →
What Is Alleged
Suffolk County police arrested Mr. Kennedy on Thursday, September 3. According to court papers, prosecutors allege that on several occasions between August 11 and September 3, he drove past a former student’s home and followed her in his vehicle. Police have also made allegations concerning a prior relationship dating to when she was a student at Bay Shore High School. The school district has stated that Mr. Kennedy has been on administrative leave and barred from district property since October 2025.
After the arraignment, the judge released Mr. Kennedy and issued a temporary order of protection. He is next due in court later this month.
The Defense’s Position
Mr. Seman disputes the way the incident has been characterized. As he told reporters, the allegation comes down to his client being in a public place, parking his car, and attempting to have a conversation with someone he knew. Mr. Seman has also stated that his client was never advised that contact was not permitted, and that there is no proof of the alleged prior relationship.
What a Fourth-Degree Stalking Charge Requires
Under New York Penal Law § 120.45, stalking in the fourth degree is a class B misdemeanor. Broadly speaking, prosecutors must prove that a person intentionally engaged in a course of conduct directed at a specific person, for no legitimate purpose, and that the person knew or reasonably should have known the conduct was likely to cause certain kinds of fear or harm. Some forms of the charge also require proof that the accused was previously and clearly told to stop.
That is why the details matter. Whether contact occurred in a public place, whether it had a legitimate purpose, and whether anyone ever clearly asked for it to stop are all questions the prosecution has to answer with evidence.
An Accusation Is Not a Conviction
An arrest and an arraignment are the beginning of a criminal case, not the end of one. Every person charged with a crime in New York is presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. News coverage, by its nature, tends to reflect the accusation first. The defense’s job is to make sure the full facts are tested in court.
Facing a Criminal Charge on Long Island?
If you or someone you care about has been arrested or is under investigation in Suffolk or Nassau County, the steps you take early can shape the rest of your case. Contact attorney Karl C. Seman, Esq., at KCS Law to discuss your situation.
Attorney Advertising. This post is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
