The Office of the Ontario County Conflict Defender was established by the Ontario County Board of Supervisors through Local Law No. 3-2013. The first Conflict Defender, Andrea J. Schoeneman, Esq., was appointed to this position by Ontario County Board of Supervisors resolution dated May 26, 2014, and effective on July 1, 2014.  After the retirement of Ms. Schoeneman, Carrie W. Bleakley, Esq. was appointed as Conflict Defender effective August 12, 2019.
 
Conflict Defender’s Function:
The Conflict Defender’s Office provides mandated indigent legal representation when a conflict of interest disqualifies the Public Defender’s Office from representing the client. The Conflict Defender  also administers the Assigned Counsel Plan, along with managing, administering and supervising mandated indigent legal representation services that are not provided by the Public Defender.