Attorneys in this office are assigned to a caseload consisting of both criminal cases and family law matters. They are scheduled to appear with clients in the St. Lawrence County Court, Judicial Diversion Program, Supreme Court, Family Court, Support Court, Integrated Domestic Violence Court, Ogdensburg City Court and the Drug Treatment Court, the local criminal courts, and attend after hours criminal arraignments at the courts request.
Amy L. Dona, Esq., Conflict Defender
Admitted to practice law in New York since 2004
Appointed as the Conflict Defender by the county's Board of Legislators since 2010; previously worked as an Assistant Conflict Defender in this office from 2004 until the appointment as the Department Head. Manages a caseload of criminal and family matters, and handles the county's F.O.I.L. appeals.
Sara E. Behuniak, Esq., Assistant Conflict Defender
Admitted to practice law in New York since 2018
Employed as an Assistant C.D., Sara is assigned to represent clients on criminal matters, including parole violations. Sara previously worked in this office handling a mixed caseload of family and criminal matters from 2017-2021; and as an Assistant Public Defender at the Alaska Public Defender’s Office.
Heather A. Dona, Esq., Assistant Conflict Defender
Admitted to practice law in New York since 2006
Employed as an Assistant C.D. since 2006 and represents assigned clients on criminal and family law matters.
Patricia Frederick, Keyboard Specialist
Employed in this office since 2019, Patty assists with client and case intake for all attorneys, scheduling and client notification. Patty processes applications and court assignments; assists other support staff and attorneys with daily tasks; tracks grant and funding for C.A.F.A. (Counsel at First Appearance); assists the Department Head with payroll, administrative tasks, and reporting for Indigent Legal Services.
Elizabeth Watkins, Legal Secretary
Employed in this office since 2022, Elizabeth previously worked at the county’s Probation Department and as a legal secretary at Ducharme, Goldie & Adams P.C. Elizabeth assists attorneys primarily on criminal cases, intake, scheduling, and client notification; processes client applications and court assignments; tracks grant and funding for the Statewide Expansion of Hurrell-Harring; and assists with payroll, billing, and reporting for Indigent Legal Services.
Amy Trimboli, Legal Secretary
Employed in this office since 2021, Amy previously worked at the Norwood-Norfolk Central School and for this office when it opened in 2004 until 2009. Amy assists attorneys primarily on family cases, intake, scheduling, and client notification; processes client applications and court assignments; assists attorneys with daily tasks; tracks CAFA (Counsel at First Appearance); assists the Department Head with payroll, billing, and reporting for Indigent Legal Services.
