State Association of DAs names Cardone ‘Prosecutor of the Year’

District attorney in Orleans County praised for strong leadership, innovative programs

Photo by Tom Rivers: Joe Cardone holds an award he was presented on Saturday by the New York Prosecutors Training Institute and the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York. Cardone was named “Prosecutor of the Year.” The organizations cited his nearly 33 years as Orleans County district attorney, and his efforts to introduce innovative programs, restructure the local court system, and be a law enforcement leader for the community. “It’s a great honor,” Cardone said about the award. “These are fabulous and brilliant people.”

ALBION – The association of district attorneys around the state presented Orleans County DA Joe Cardone with the “Prosecutor of the Year” award on Saturday during a conference for the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York and its training arm, the New York Prosecutors Training Institute.

Cardone was picked for the award because of “his strong leadership, innovative programs, and impeccable character, enhancing the criminal justice in New York State for decades,” the group said in recognizing the Orleans DA.

Cardone is one of the longest tenured district attorneys in the state. He started the position in March 1992, when he was 34 and the job was considered part-time. It has been full-time for about three decades. Cardone has successfully prosecuted many murder cases and other serious crimes during his career.

He also has pushed to introduce a Drug Court (now known as Treatment Court) to reduce the severity of some felonies if people can successfully complete drug treatment programs. The court also imposes sanctions if people miss appointment or have lapses and use drugs.

Cardone also pushed to create a Traffic Diversion Program to reduce the severity of some traffic violations, which don’t take points off motorists’ driving records and also keeps more fine money in the local community (just over $2 million since 2011).

“It’s not all about convictions,” he said. “You have to show humility and compassion.”

He has since been elected to eight consecutive terms. He will be retiring from the position on Dec. 31, and intends to pursue some business interests and remain working as an attorney.

Cardone, a Medina resident, said being the district attorney in his home county for more than three decades has been a great privilege.

“I was bound and determined to make people’s lives better, for the both the victim of a crime and the defendant,” he said. “The goal of this office is to do justice.”

Cardone was also cited by the DAs’ Association for his efforts to restructure local justice courts. During his tenure the number of town and village justices is down from 24 to the current 12. Albion and Medina have dissolved their village courts, with the caseloads shifting to the towns in those municipalities.

Most towns have gone from two justices to one. Cardone is trying to bring a district court to a public vote, which would combine many of the court functions from multiple municipalities into a centralized location.

The County Legislature won’t put the issue to a vote this year because the State Legislature needs to first give the county permission to have a referendum. Cardone said Orleans has been a leader for the rest of the state in court efficiency through consolidation and dissolution.

Provided photos: (Left) Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone was joined by his family on Saturday when he accepted the “Prosecutor of the year” award at a ceremony in Bolton Landing. From left include Alex Eaton, Rosalind Cardone Eaton. Sophia Cardone, Jenifer Cardone, Joe Cardone, Michael Cardone and Alexis Barcena. (Right) Joe Cardone is presented with the award by Sean Smith, deputy director of the New York Prosecutors Training Institute.

Cardone will likely be succeeded in the office by Susan Howard, an assistant district attorney for the county since 2005. She defeated John Sansone in a Republican Primary last week. She also has the Conservative Party line in the November general election.

Howard has been a full-time first assistant DA since 2011. Sansone also worked as an assistant DA for Orleans since 2007. He resigned from the position last week, a day after he was defeated in the primary.

“John gave us many years of service,” Cardone said in his office during an interview on Monday.

Cardone didn’t pick a side publicly in the primary.

“I’m very appreciative of both Sue and John,” Cardone said. “They gave the county a choice at great personal and financial expense. I’m extremely sad for one and happy for the other.”

Howard has the skills and dedication to take the reins and lead the office on Jan. 1, 2025, Cardone said.

“She has been nothing but a significant force in this office,” Cardone said. “She will do a great job.”

Cardone said many attorneys and staff have contributed to the local DA’s Office during his career. He said the local law enforcement leaders and officers have been great partners, too.

“So many people have helped me along the way, great men and women of law enforcement,” he said. “From Sheriff (David) Green to Sheriff (Chris) Bourke, everyone has had the community’s best interest at heart.”

Cardone shared during the awards presentation that he is often motivated by the case of DeVante Boston, who was 4 years old when he was badly injured when his mother’s boyfriend threw him to the ground. David Ricks was convicted of first-degree assault in 2003. DeVante would live in a vegetative state for 15 ½ years, functioning at about a 6 month old level. He died at age 20 in 2017.

When DeVante died, Cardone brought a first-degree manslaughter against Ricks, who had served 17 years in prison. Ricks pleaded guilty and his sentence was extended to a maximum 25 years. (He is due to be released on Sept. 27, 2024.)

Cardone said he often found inspiration in the life of DeVante Boston, who was a cheerful presence despite his extensive injuries.

“I felt like he showed us, ‘If I can persevere, so can you,’” Cardone said.

These four are the longest tenured district attorneys in the state. From left Robert M. Carney, Schenectady County (since 1989); Joe Cardone (since March 1992); William J. Fitzpatrick, Onondaga County(since February 1992); and Joseph Fazzary, Schuyler County (since 1997).