To the Editor:

I write this letter as a wholehearted endorsement of Nicole Duve for County Court Judge. I’ve known Nicole since the early 1990’s when she began her legal career in St. Lawrence County, defending indigent persons charged with crimes as an Assistant St. Lawrence County Public Defender. I’ve watched her career for the last 30 years and gotten to know her on a personal basis. Nicole is the only choice for county court judge.

First, Nicole is a self-made woman, who has worked for everything. She was the first person in her family to go to college. Law school wasn’t handed to her on a silver spoon. She worked tirelessly at part time jobs to finance her own education while her classmates could study at a comfortable pace. It’s the kind of effort that would make any parent proud. It would serve the County well to have a person with that hustle, experience, and background as our County Court Judge. Nicole understands the proud, hard working people of this County as she is one of them.

Secondly, Nicole is a pistol permit holder who understands how seriously the sports men and women of the North Country take their Second Amendment rights. Although the county court judge merely applies the legislation that the legislature enacts, Nicole is committed to protecting the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of St. Lawrence County. She knows how to read the Second Amendment and apply it to make sure the rights of law-abiding citizens are not impeded.

Finally, I hope you all consider the experience Nicole has to be county court judge. She has been a public defender, a prosecutor, a local court judge, and a law clerk in the very court she is now seeking to serve. Of note, she has actually tried cases in county court and conducted too many hearings to count. She knows the law and the rules of procedure. She knows the rules of evidence. She knows how to protect the record in a case so convicted felons are not released on technicalities.

Family Court experience is nice, but not relevant to the job of County Court Judge.

We, the people of St. Lawrence County, need a county court judge, who knows where we come from, who knows our values, who can protect our rights, and who has the competence to get the job of county court judge done. Nicole Duve is the only candidate who matches that job description. Vote for Nicole Duve as county court judge.

Ernie LaBaff

President Emeritus of Aluminum, Brick & Glass Workers