State lifts county residency rule for Saratoga ADA recruits

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) — New state legislation called the ADA Assistant Bill will allow the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office to extend Assistant District Attorney job offers to candidates living outside the county.

State Senator Jim Tedisco says the DA’s office contacted him to push legislation loosening their in-county residency requirements for the jobs. Tedisco told NEWS10 that the DA’s office needs skilled and experienced Assistant District Attorneys who can argue their way around what he views as restrictive state laws like bail reform. 

“What the District Attorney is saying: brought candidates in front of me, they were good, they had some experience, but they didn't have enough experience to stand up to what's happening with this criminal justice reform when the Justice's hands are tied," the Republican Tedisco said.

According to Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh's office, the DA’s office says there are currently three vacant ADA positions. The now-passed ADA Assistant Bill allows the prosecutorial office to recruit from the counties that geographically border Saratoga.

“A lot of people like to be looked at as the best and the brightest and the most capable. So people with a lot of experience are going to say I'm one of those people I have a pride in public safety…I have a pride in defending law abiding citizens. Saratoga is a place that maybe I want to do that” said Tedisco.

A major argument for residency requirements is that it breeds candidates who are invested in the community. Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, who also pushed the legislation, sees things differently. “We have a capital district area so I think that encouraging really quality talent from Schenectady for example or from Warren County, you know, that doesn't really, I think, take away from the people that we have here in Saratoga County” Tedisco added.

Both legislators hope this will encourage inward migration to Saratoga County. 

“I would bet that once somebody is hired who's from Schenectady County maybe after a period of time, they might relocate to Saratoga County" said Walsh.

Walsh says now that the bill has passed that the DA's office can begin recruiting out-of-county applicants immediately.