Kingston, N.Y. – County Executive Mike Hein is pleased to announce that Ulster County Public Defender Andrew Kossover recently applied for and secured $65,000 in additional funding from New York State's Indigent Defense Legal Fund. The funds will be used to pay for New York State mandated legal services for Ulster County’s low income residents in criminal courts and in Family Court.

"The people of Ulster County should be aware that my administration takes our fiscal responsibility seriously. Public Defender Kossover learned of potential new funding for the work his office is mandated to provide, and the people of Ulster County are required to pay for, and he immediately applied for it," said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. "His actions saved Ulster County taxpayers $65,000."

In order to qualify for legal defense services, clients must complete a financial affidavit, including income, resources and expenses. A judge reviews the affidavit and, based on federal guidelines, recommends or denies assignment to the Public Defender. The Public Defender's office must provide legal representation to all indigent clients assigned by the judges.