Senate Passes Bill to Help Jefferson County

Will Allow District Attorney To Hire Stenographer

State Senator Patty Ritchie announced the Senate passed a bill (S4415) she sponsored to allow Jefferson County’s District Attorney to appoint, as needed, a stenographer who lives in St. Lawrence County or any county in the fifth judicial district.

"When Jefferson County District Attorney Cindy Intschert told me she needed my help, I made sure we got this bill moving through the Senate," Senator Ritchie said. "It is critical that our prosecutors have the resources they need."

"Over the past several years my office has seen a rising felony caseload," DA Intschert said. "This legislation will provide my office with the ability to obtain qualified stenographic assistance to handle grand jury proceedings in those instances when a qualified county stenographic firm or resident is not available."

A total of 30 counties across the state have received exemptions to the law. The 5th Judicial District includes Jefferson, Oswego, Oneida, Lewis, Herkimer and Onondaga counties. The bill has been introduced in the Assembly by Assemblywoman Addie Russell.