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Assigned counsel program in Yates County logged $247,929 in payouts; county reports $185,947 net cost
Summary
Assigned Counsel Cyndy Rochford told the Human Services Committee that 46 assigned cases through March cost the county $247,929, with $61,982 reimbursed by the state; the committee agreed the state rate increase imposed a substantial burden and asked Rochford to pursue available budget relief.
Cyndy Rochford, Yates County Assigned Counsel, told the Human Services Committee that the county handled 46 assigned cases through March — 26 in Family Court and 20 in Criminal Court — and that the county spent $247,929 on the program through that period.
Rochford said $61,982 had been reimbursed by the state, leaving a reported net county cost of $185,947. She described how the Hurrell‑Harring framework covers charges such as staff salaries, cap arraignments and investigators, and said the state is covering 50% of the recent rate increase. "The County can only use this additional budget line if they can show that the rate increase was a substantial burden on the County," Rochford said. The committee agreed the increase constituted a substantial burden and asked Rochford to report back on efforts to document and access the budget line.
Rochford also outlined procedural details for assigning counsel when conflicts arise: applicants complete an application to the Public Defender’s Office, which conducts conflict checks; when in‑office conflicts occur the matter comes to Rochford for conflict assignment. She warned that the county’s small, interconnected community and recent state rule changes are likely to increase the frequency of conflicts and the need for outside conflict counsel. The committee accepted the report as information.
