By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON – St. Lawrence County’s chief public defender Stephen Button will step down from his post and take over as the county attorney.

The St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators appointed him to the position in a split vote Monday.

St. Lawrence County Legislature Chairman Joe Lightfoot says Button served the county well as the public defender and expects he will do the same as the county’s attorney.

Lightfoot acknowledged that his time as public defender could constitute a conflict of interest on some matters in the future, but added that the county has a deputy attorney on hand in case such an event occurs.

“I would say that anytime you hire from within, there could be a conflict in some situations,” Lightfoot said in an emailed response. “If there should be one with that office, or any other office, there is a deputy county attorney on board.”

Button will begin his three-year term Feb. 3 and receive $100,254 annually. That’s about $7,000 more than he earned as public defender.

Button replaces former County Attorney Michael Crowe who resigned recently after serving more than five years.

Lightfoot said the county will now seek a replacement in Button’s former position.

“We will advertise the position in hopes of getting a number of qualified candidates to make a choice from,” Lightfoot said.