NORWICH – The Chenango County District Attorney's Office hired a new attorney earlier this month, a lawyer who says he plans to use his 28 years of legal experience to benefit the county, and help to ensure each case is handled fairly for every victim and defendant.

In an interview with First Assistant District Attorney James Snashall on Monday, he described his work in the legal field, his philosophy regarding the fair treatment of defendants throughout the criminal justice system, and his reasons for joining the Chenango County District Attorney's Office.

"I was born and raised in Broome County, I went to Chenango Valley High School and then to Binghamton University," said Snashall. "I graduated from Binghamton University with honors and then I went to the only state law school in New York State – SUNY Buffalo."

Snashall said since his graduation at SUNY Buffalo he has worked in a number of legal positions including as a administrative judge, as a member of a special litigation unit for New York City Office of Corporation Council, and as an Assistant District Attorney focused on financial crimes in Broome County.

"If you get a conviction without having a fair trial first, you've really lost," said Shashall. "You want to make sure the accused is treated fairly, it's their constitutional right."

He said many of the lessons he learned came from the district attorney he worked for in Brooklyn District Attorney's Office with that office's work towards helping drug addicts overcome their addictions by placing them in treatment programs instead of jail.

"It's unfortunate, but a lot of people – when they have a drug problem – tend to break the law in a variety of ways," said Snashall. "25 years ago we were working on different types of programs to help these people who are accused of crimes, to combat their addiction and get out of the criminal justice cycle."

He said without that chance to break the cycle, individuals may spend their entire lives in and out of prison.

"It's really hard for the person and it's also difficult for their families," said Snashall. "It's also difficult for them to get help as sometimes family members don't understand why they need treatment at all."

He said there's a simple way to look at drug and alcohol treatment programs.

"If we could do something in 30 days, 60 days, or 90 days that's going to get this person better, should we do it," said Snashall. "I pray it doesn't happen to people, but sometimes don't realize the need for these programs, until someone in their family has the problem."

He said it's common for people to dislike treatment programs because they personally are doing well, and their kids are doing well, but then after several years it hits their grandkids or another member of their family, and then they recognize the need for outside help.

"It's great that Mike was working here for as many years as he did under Joe, because I think Judge McBride leaves the D.A.'s Office in good shape, it's a smooth transition," said Snashall. "I've never practiced before him, but the people I know in New York City that are prosecutors always had great things to say about Judge McBride."

"We have to protect the defendant's and the victim's constitutional rights," said Snashall. "There's always a heightened focus on violent criminals; no one wants their safety to be at risk."

He said the Chenango County District Attorney's Office wants to try to address the drug condition of Chenango County by getting people into the right treatment programs. He added that drinking and driving is another issue people don't mention as often, but is still a serious safety concern.

"I go to Mike for advice and we talk about cases everyday, we're on the same page for a lot of different things, and it's my honor to be working with him and my privilege to work for the residents of Chenango County," said Snashall.

He said he recently received a text message from an associate of his in New York City asking about the weather here.

"I told him even in the winter the countryside is pretty," said Snashall. "You drive down the road each morning with beautiful sunrises, snow and deer in the fields, it's beautiful."

He said he hopes with District Attorney Michael Ferrarese's help, the Chenango County District Attorney's Office can keep people safe and help address the issues the county is facing today.

Snashall said he will cover the courts in Afton, the Town and Village Greene, Guilford, the Town of New Berlin, North Norwich, the City and Town of Norwich, the Town and Village of Oxford, the Town of Bainbridge, Plymouth, and Smithville.