To the Editor:

In his Letter to the Editor posted on July 26, Bob Giordano criticizes me for pointing out that my opponent’s current experience as a private practitioner involves the representation of convicted felons in parole matters. He then accuses me of insulting the entire bar association by pointing this out.

As the Franklin County Chief Public Defender for 15 years until 2005, I provided criminal defense services too. During that time, I was awarded the first Dennison Ray Criminal Defender Award by the New York State Bar Association for my “extraordinary commitment to and provision of zealous and skilled legal representation for low-income and disenfranchised clients.”

In most criminal defense work, including my past work, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. In my opponent’s case though, there is no presumption of innocence. My opponent’s defendants were found guilty, imprisoned, and then violated the conditions of their release. My opponent then fought to free them again. These convicts, some who committed crimes against children, are entitled to an attorney. It is perfectly fine that my opponent has chosen to represent them.

But Mr. Giordano does not deny that my opponent left his last two jobs where he was actually in positions to help children and families. Mr. Giordano does not deny that my opponent then passed up opportunities to represent children, such as returning to the Attorney-for-Child (formerly “law guardian”) program that he left 19 years ago. Mr. Giordano does not deny that my opponent has not appeared in front of an elected Family Court Judge for the last four years.

My opponent speaks about “protecting” children and “hearing their voices” now that he wants to be a Family Court Judge. He even posted “My kids, Your Kids, Their Kids, His Kids, Her Kids. If they are in my sight, I’m watching out for them no matter who they belong to.”

Very simply, my opponent and I are campaigning to be the next Family Court Judge. Shouldn’t my opponent be prepared to explain why, if he wants to be a Family Court Judge, he left positions representing children, rejected chances to represent children for the last four years, and chose to “offer the best legal defense” for parole violators instead? Did my opponent listen to the voices of the child victims in those cases?

Alexander Lesyk, Esq.
St. Lawrence County Family Court Judge Candidate
Norwood