Joanne Best named new county public defender
ALBION – Joanne Best was appointed today to be Orleans County’s next public defender.
Best of Clarendon will succeed Sanford Church, who is leaving the position to serve as the next county judge. Church has been the public defender for about two decades.
Best, who has a law office in Brockport, worked as an assistant public defender under Church.
She was appointed to a two-year term, effective Jan. 1, at an annual salary of $80,662.
John DeFilipps, the Legislature chairman, congratulated Best on the appointment and noted she will be the first woman to serve as the county’s public defender, representing low-income residents accused of crimes.
The office represents indigent defendants in Orleans County Court, thirteen local Justice Courts, and the New York State Parole System.
