CHENANGO COUNTY — Chenango County’s First Assistant District Attorney Stephen M. Dunshee is resigning from his position at the DA’s Office. Today is Dunshee's last day as First Assistant District Attorney (ADA). His final task will be to attend Norwich City Court as prosecutor one last time.
Dunshee has served as ADA for more than six years. “It has been a wonderful job. I have enjoyed it thoroughly,” said Dunshee.
Before he became First ADA, Dunshee served as a part-time ADA from 2004 to 2007. He also served as a part-time public defender in Chenango County from 1991 to 2003.
Dunshee was a full-time private attorney, while working as a part-time assistant prosecutor and part-time public defender. He was a defense attorney for more than 17 years before closing his practice in 2008.
When discussing what he enjoyed most about being a prosecutor, Dunshee said, “I love trial work. You have to do a lot of thinking on your feet, and there is a lot of preparation. It's challenging and exciting when you are in a courtroom during a trial. I sometimes have a hard time keeping a smile off my face.”
As First ADA, Dunshee prepped approximately 20 felony trials and prosecuted more than 15. “McBride was very generous and allowed me to do a lot of felony trials. I am very grateful to him,” said Dunshee.
Dunshee's roots “could not get anymore local.” He graduated from New Berlin H.S. in 1971. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1971 to 1975, he went on to study history education at SUNY Oneonta for his undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Before attending law school at Duquesne University in Pittsburg, Penn. from 1987 to 1990, Dunshee was a social studies teacher from 1979 to 1986 in South New Berlin and Sherburne. He has been a resident of Sherburne since 1990.
Dunshee is leaving the DA Office to become the Support Magistrate for Chenango County Family Court. Dunshee applied for the position when he learned the current support magistrate Robert E. Cuffney was retiring after 17 years of service.
According to the New York State Unified Court System's website, support magistrates handle support cases regarding child or spousal support and paternity cases regarding the determination of whether or not someone is the father of a child.
