The Chenango County Public Defender's Office will receive a sizable state grant to offset costs incurred as a result of the NY Discovery Reform Program. (File photo)

NORWICH – The Chenango County Public Defender’s Office will see a $186,000 boost in New York State aid to help with expenses incurred as the result of the state’s Discovery Reform Program.

New York’s Discovery Reform Law, which took effect in 2020, requires prosecutors to turn over all materials that relate to the subject matter of a case no later than 15 days after an individual has been arraigned for an alleged crime. 

The state legislature’s passage of the law put New York State on par with 46 other states operating under a similar system, but also put severe financial strain on local prosecution and defense attorneys’ offices.