Orleans expects $170K from state to help with new discovery costs in DA’s Office
ALBION – The Orleans County District Attorney’s Office is applying for a $170,000 state grant to help the county with its expenses to meet new state regulations for discovery, or the evidence to be shared with the defendants and their lawyers.
The DA’s Office has added two employees and purchased equipment to comply with the regulations. That equipment connects the DA’s Office, law enforcement agencies, defense attorneys and others to share discovery materials.
Beginning last year the state required the DA’s offices and law enforcement agencies to turn over evidence to defendants and their lawyers within 15 to 30 days after arraignment. Discovery often includes police reports, 911 calls and recordings, and DNA results.
The state is making the $170,000 available to the county through what is expected to be a one-time grant, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.
There will be $40 million available statewide. The funding covers expenses retroactively from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
