Opinion 97-34

May 1,1997

Dear Judge:

         This is in response to your inquiry (97-34) in which you inquire as to the appropriate method for assigning counsel in criminal cases pursuant to Article 18-B of the County Law.

         The Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics is intended to provide guidance to judges and justices of the Unified Court System on questions of judicial ethics. The situation posed in your inquiry appears to present an administrative problem that the Committee is not authorized to resolve. Accordingly, inasmuch as a question of judicial ethics is not presented, the Committee is not in a position to provide an answer to your inquiry.

                                                                     Very truly yours,

                                                                     George D. Marlow

                                                                     Dutchess County Court Judge

                                                                     Co-Chair

                                                                     Thomas P. Flaherty

                                                                     Justice of the Supreme Court