First ADA steps up to become Support Magistrate
CHENANGO COUNTY — Chenango County’s First Assistant District Attorney Stephen M. Dunshee is resigning from his position at the DA’s Office. Today is Dunshee's last day as First Assistant District Attorney (ADA). His final task will be to attend Norwich City Court as prosecutor one last time.
Dunshee has served as ADA for more than six years. “It has been a wonderful job. I have enjoyed it thoroughly,” said Dunshee.
Before he became First ADA, Dunshee served as a part-time ADA from 2004 to 2007. He also served as a part-time public defender in Chenango County from 1991 to 2003.
Dunshee was a full-time private attorney, while working as a part-time assistant prosecutor and part-time public defender. He was a defense attorney for more than 17 years before closing his practice in 2008.
When discussing what he enjoyed most about being a prosecutor, Dunshee said, “I love trial work. You have to do a lot of thinking on your feet, and there is a lot of preparation. It's challenging and exciting when you are in a courtroom during a trial. I sometimes have a hard time keeping a smile off my face.”
As First ADA, Dunshee prepped approximately 20 felony trials and prosecuted more than 15. “McBride was very generous and allowed me to do a lot of felony trials. I am very grateful to him,” said Dunshee.
Dunshee's roots “could not get anymore local.” He graduated from New Berlin H.S. in 1971. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1971 to 1975, he went on to study history education at SUNY Oneonta for his undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Before attending law school at Duquesne University in Pittsburg, Penn. from 1987 to 1990, Dunshee was a social studies teacher from 1979 to 1986 in South New Berlin and Sherburne. He has been a resident of Sherburne since 1990.
Dunshee is leaving the DA Office to become the Support Magistrate for Chenango County Family Court. Dunshee applied for the position when he learned the current support magistrate Robert E. Cuffney was retiring after 17 years of service.
According to the New York State Unified Court System's website, support magistrates handle support cases regarding child or spousal support and paternity cases regarding the determination of whether or not someone is the father of a child.
“I will be part of the judiciary system and run a courtroom. I will be in the brand new courthouse inside the Eaton Center, in the brand new courtroom, Courtroom B. I will also work out of Broome County in Binghamton,” said Dunshee.
When explaining why he applied for the position, Dunshee said, “It's a good opportunity and a step-up in my legal career. It's also a salary increase and offers more independence.”
According to Dunshee, he could not have made it this far in his legal career without the help of his wife. He said his wife and their three children are his main source of support.
Dunshee was appointed as support magistrate by the state. He went through an extensive application and interview process. He interviewed in front of a panel of five. The panel made a recommendation and the administrative judges made the final decision. “I heard over 40 people applied,” said Dunshee.
He also said his career as an attorney and First ADA has prepared him for his new position. “I like to administer justice; prosecutors administer justice. You have to balance everyone's position in the case. I have been allowed to see different sides of the justice system,” said Dunshee.
As for what Dunshee has learned while serving as First ADA, he said the most important thing is to “listen to people.” He also said he has gotten better at reading people. “I approach everyone as honest until they show me they aren't. You can determine people's credibility from what they say and how they say it,” said Dunshee.
District Attorney Joseph McBride said, “I wish Mr. Dunshee good luck in his new career.” He also said he is happy to bring on Michael D. Ferrarese as the new First ADA and looks forward to hiring a full-time assistant to replace Ferrarese.
Ferrarese complimented Dunshee and said, “I've worked with Stephen for the last five years. He has been a wonderful colleague, and I wish him the best.”
Ferrarese's first day as the new First ADA will be this Wednesday. “I look forward to working with the various police agencies to continue to do our very best to protect the citizens of Chenango County and other surrounding communities,” said Ferrarese.
Dunshee said he will miss working as First ADA but is excited about becoming a support magistrate. He said he cares about his community. “I like people. I like working with people. I like Chenango County. I would say someone's word is worth something in this county,” said Dunshee.
Dunshee has served as ADA for more than six years. “It has been a wonderful job. I have enjoyed it thoroughly,” said Dunshee.
Before he became First ADA, Dunshee served as a part-time ADA from 2004 to 2007. He also served as a part-time public defender in Chenango County from 1991 to 2003.
Dunshee was a full-time private attorney, while working as a part-time assistant prosecutor and part-time public defender. He was a defense attorney for more than 17 years before closing his practice in 2008.
When discussing what he enjoyed most about being a prosecutor, Dunshee said, “I love trial work. You have to do a lot of thinking on your feet, and there is a lot of preparation. It's challenging and exciting when you are in a courtroom during a trial. I sometimes have a hard time keeping a smile off my face.”
As First ADA, Dunshee prepped approximately 20 felony trials and prosecuted more than 15. “McBride was very generous and allowed me to do a lot of felony trials. I am very grateful to him,” said Dunshee.
Dunshee's roots “could not get anymore local.” He graduated from New Berlin H.S. in 1971. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1971 to 1975, he went on to study history education at SUNY Oneonta for his undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Before attending law school at Duquesne University in Pittsburg, Penn. from 1987 to 1990, Dunshee was a social studies teacher from 1979 to 1986 in South New Berlin and Sherburne. He has been a resident of Sherburne since 1990.
Dunshee is leaving the DA Office to become the Support Magistrate for Chenango County Family Court. Dunshee applied for the position when he learned the current support magistrate Robert E. Cuffney was retiring after 17 years of service.
According to the New York State Unified Court System's website, support magistrates handle support cases regarding child or spousal support and paternity cases regarding the determination of whether or not someone is the father of a child.
“I will be part of the judiciary system and run a courtroom. I will be in the brand new courthouse inside the Eaton Center, in the brand new courtroom, Courtroom B. I will also work out of Broome County in Binghamton,” said Dunshee.
When explaining why he applied for the position, Dunshee said, “It's a good opportunity and a step-up in my legal career. It's also a salary increase and offers more independence.”
According to Dunshee, he could not have made it this far in his legal career without the help of his wife. He said his wife and their three children are his main source of support.
Dunshee was appointed as support magistrate by the state. He went through an extensive application and interview process. He interviewed in front of a panel of five. The panel made a recommendation and the administrative judges made the final decision. “I heard over 40 people applied,” said Dunshee.
He also said his career as an attorney and First ADA has prepared him for his new position. “I like to administer justice; prosecutors administer justice. You have to balance everyone's position in the case. I have been allowed to see different sides of the justice system,” said Dunshee.
As for what Dunshee has learned while serving as First ADA, he said the most important thing is to “listen to people.” He also said he has gotten better at reading people. “I approach everyone as honest until they show me they aren't. You can determine people's credibility from what they say and how they say it,” said Dunshee.
District Attorney Joseph McBride said, “I wish Mr. Dunshee good luck in his new career.” He also said he is happy to bring on Michael D. Ferrarese as the new First ADA and looks forward to hiring a full-time assistant to replace Ferrarese.
Ferrarese complimented Dunshee and said, “I've worked with Stephen for the last five years. He has been a wonderful colleague, and I wish him the best.”
Ferrarese's first day as the new First ADA will be this Wednesday. “I look forward to working with the various police agencies to continue to do our very best to protect the citizens of Chenango County and other surrounding communities,” said Ferrarese.
Dunshee said he will miss working as First ADA but is excited about becoming a support magistrate. He said he cares about his community. “I like people. I like working with people. I like Chenango County. I would say someone's word is worth something in this county,” said Dunshee.
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