Despite still being in his first week, a new chief public defender in Steuben County got right to work on the already heavy case load. 

Shawn Sauro was just appointed this week by the county legislature. He replaces Phil Roche, who now serves as a judge.

He brings with him experience from the district attorney's and the public defender's office, which is good because he will be busy with felony cases on the rise.

Last year alone, the office saw almost 100 new cases.

"We're trying to get to goals in terms of limiting the amount of cases that attorneys do so that the time and the quality is there. The struggles are we then have to expand our program and we need more resources,” Sauro said.

Sauro says he's most looking forward to staffing his office.