Minimum Criteria for Panel Membership

Established by the Assigned Counsel Advisory Committee of the Monroe County Bar Association, August 1990, amended June 1999.

Minimum Criteria for All Panel Members

1. Must be admitted to practice in New York and be currently registered with the Office of Court Administration.

2. Must comply with the continuing legal education (CLE) requirements to be established by the Monroe County Bar Association.

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Misdemeanor Panel:

Must have conducted one jury or bench trial, either civil or criminal, with the exception of minor traffic infractions, wherein testimony was received into evidence

or assisted at such trial, and in addition, conducted at least one hearing involving live testimony in a court proceeding.

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Family Court Panel:

Must have appeared in at least two (2) family court matters and handled them totally to conclusion

or have conducted a hearing or trial in criminal court.

Additionally, for abuse, neglect, and termination proceedings: Must have conducted one full hearing in family court.

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D and E Felony Panel:

Must have conducted one jury trial, either criminal or civil, to verdict

or conducted one bench trial, and in addition, participated in jury selection in either a criminal or civil case wherein the jury was sworn

or having been a member of the misdemeanor panel for one year, and having handled five cases on the misdemeanor panel to conclusion, and in addition having served as associate counsel on four felony trials under the terms of the Trial Mentor Program of the Conflict Defender Office such participation having been certified by the trial mentor.

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A, B, C, Felony Panel:

Must have conducted one felony jury trial to verdict

or conducted a felony bench trial, and in addition, participated in jury selection in a criminal matter wherein the jury was sworn

or having been a member of the D and E felony panel for one year, and having handled five cases on the D and E felony panel to conclusion, and in addition having served as associate counsel on four felony trials under the terms of the Trial Mentor Program of the Conflict Defender Office such participation having been certified by the trial mentor.

NOTE: You may appeal the Administrator's denial of membership on any panel to the Assigned Counsel Program Review Committee. Send a letter to the Conflict Defender detailing the reasons you do qualify for the denied panel membership. If you wish, you may appear at the hearing. You will receive notice of the time and place of the hearing.

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