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Public Defender
Conflict Defender
Assigned Counsel
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Franklin County Assigned Counsel Program is seeking attorneys to sit on its 18-B panel for indigent defense clients. If you are interested in joining this panel, please call the Assigned Counsel Coordinator Jill Dyer
at 518-481-1423.
Description:
Public Defender and Conflict Defender's Office
The Franklin County Public Defender, and Conflict Defender's Offices represent individuals in local criminal courts, County Court, Supreme Court and Family Court. Neither office is a private law firm and may only represent individuals assigned by the Assigned Counsel Coordinator who have cases pending in Franklin County. Cases that cannot be assigned to the Public Defender's Office are assigned to the Conflict Defender's Office; this is done when there is a conflict of interest.
Individuals who believe they may qualify for a free attorney must apply through the Office of the Assigned Counsel Coordinator located on the second floor of the County Courthouse. It is important that you bring all court documents and verification of income when you apply.
The Public and Conflict Defender's Offices do not handle civil cases, including divorces, landlord/tenant matters, or medical malpractice/personal injury claims, or credits and judgements.
Assigned Counsel Coordinator
The Assigned Counsel Coordinator is responsible for accepting, reviewing and assigning cases to the Public Defender's Office, the Conflict Defender's Office, or to the 18-B Panel of private local attorneys. Case eligibility is based on the charge and the financial status of the applicant. To obtain an application click on the FORMS tab on the left side of this page.
Please note that completed applications can be emailed to: assignedcounsel@franklincountyny.gov
Contacts:
Public Defender
Thomas Soucia
355 West Main Street
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: 518-481-1624
Conflict Defender
Frank Cositore, Jr.
355 West Main Street
Malone, NY 12953
Phone: 518-481-1593
Assigned Counsel Coordinator
Jill Dyer
355 West Main Street
Malone, NY, NY 12953
Phone: 518-481-1423
The Document Center provides easy access to public documents. Click on one of the categories below to see related documents or use the search function.