Assistant Public Defender Resigning Due To Workload

By DAVID WINTERS

Johnson News Service

CANTON - St. Lawrence County Assistant Public Defender Christopher R. Curley will resign, effective Sept. 7, because of a burgeoning caseload.

Mr. Curley has been with the office on two occasions since 1996, with his second stint lasting about a decade.

He submitted his resignation letter to the county on Tuesday.

"The main reason is the caseload has gotten so big and heavy," Mr. Curley said when reached for comment.

"I don't have the energy to do it anymore. The cases keep coming and there seems to be no relief in sight."

His boss, Public Defender Mary E. Rain, believes this won't be the last attorney to leave the office because of an ever-increasing caseload.

The public defender's office will have five full-time attorneys once Mr. Curley leaves.

"He's been overworked and overwhelmed and sees no light at the end of the tunnel soon," Ms. Rain said.

His focus as an assistant public defender was mainly on criminal cases, while assisting occasionally in St. Lawrence County Family Court.

Mr. Curley said he plans to work in private practice, augmented by some assigned counsel work.

Mr. Curley is a May 1995 graduate of the Western New England School of Law.

He graduated from St. Lawrence University and worked as a teacher at Edward-Knox Central School from 1987 to 1992.

He also worked for a time in private practice with David R. Garner.

"There are no hard feelings anywhere, it was just too much work and I had enough," Mr. Curley said.

County Administrator Karen M. St. Hilaire wasn't available for comment Tuesday.