Kyan Peffer is an Assistant Public Defender at the Albany County Public Defender’s Office in Albany, New York. He joined the office in September 2024 and represents individuals facing criminal charges who cannot afford private legal counsel. A cum laude graduate of Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law, Peffer has more than five years of post-law-school legal experience spanning public defense and private practice. He has handled felony and misdemeanor cases, including two high-profile criminal matters covered by regional media.
Table Of Content
What Does an Assistant Public Defender Do?
An Assistant Public Defender is a government-employed attorney who represents people charged with crimes who qualify for court-appointed counsel. In New York, roughly 80% of criminal defendants cannot afford a private attorney and depend on public defenders.
Day-to-day responsibilities include:
- Representing clients at arraignment, bail hearings, pretrial conferences, and trials
- Reviewing evidence, police reports, and witness statements
- Negotiating plea deals with prosecutors
- Filing motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges
- Investigating cases by interviewing witnesses and visiting crime scenes
- Advising clients on legal options and likely outcomes
Public defenders carry heavy caseloads. National standards from the American Bar Association recommend no more than 150 felony cases or 400 misdemeanor cases per attorney per year. Many offices, including those in New York, regularly exceed those limits.
Current Role at Albany County Public Defender’s Office
Peffer works at the Albany County Public Defender’s Office, located at 112 State Street, Floor 2, Albany, NY 12207. The office handles criminal defense for Albany County residents who the court determines are eligible for appointed counsel.
In this role, Peffer handles a range of criminal defense matters from arraignment through trial. His cases include both felonies and misdemeanors. He is responsible for case investigation, courtroom advocacy, and client communication.
Education
Hofstra University — Maurice A. Deane School of Law (2017–2020)
Peffer earned his Doctor of Law (JD), graduating cum laude. Cum laude indicates he finished in the top portion of his class, typically the top 25–30%. During law school, he developed skills in legal research, trial advocacy, and criminal procedure that directly support his current defense work.
SUNY College at Oswego (2012–2016)
Peffer completed a Bachelor of Arts in History, also graduating cum laude. His undergraduate training in historical research — evaluating primary sources, building evidence-based arguments, and writing clearly — translates directly to legal brief writing and courtroom preparation.
Career Timeline
| Dates | Role | Organization | Key Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 – Present | Assistant Public Defender | Albany County Public Defender’s Office | Full criminal caseload: felonies, misdemeanors, arraignment through trial |
| Nov 2023 – Aug 2024 | Associate Attorney | Private law practice, Albany | Private criminal defense and civil litigation |
| Earlier career | Staff Attorney | Private legal practice | General legal work (specific dates not publicly confirmed) |
| Earlier career | Attorney | The Legal Aid Society | Legal aid representation for low-income clients |
| Earlier career | Attorney | Legal Aid Society of Nassau County | Criminal defense and legal aid in Nassau County |
This mix of public defense and private practice gives Peffer experience from both sides of the system. Private practice taught him how prosecutors and private defense attorneys approach cases. Public defense gave him high-volume courtroom experience handling serious criminal charges.
Bar Admissions & Professional Memberships
Peffer is admitted to practice in New York State courts. He holds the title of Attorney and Counselor at Law. Public defenders in New York must meet the state’s requirements for criminal defense attorneys, which include ongoing continuing legal education.
Specific bar admission year and federal court admissions should be confirmed directly with the New York State Unified Court System’s attorney registration database.
Notable Cases
Curtis Reliford Exxon Stabbing Case (2026)
Peffer served on the defense team alongside attorney Matthew Alpern for Curtis Reliford. The case involved a stabbing at an Exxon gas station in Albany. Prosecutors presented surveillance video of the attack.
The defense argued that while Reliford intended to assault the victim, he did not intend to kill. The jury convicted Reliford on assault charges but found him not guilty of attempted murder. This outcome showed the defense team’s ability to challenge the most serious charge even when video evidence existed.
Bechand Murder Trial (2025)
Peffer represented a defendant named Bechand in an Albany County murder case. As the assigned Assistant Public Defender, he handled the case from its early stages and planned to file a formal bail application. Defending a murder charge is among the most demanding assignments a public defender can receive. Peffer’s involvement at the outset indicates his office trusts him with its most serious cases.
Case Comparison
| Detail | Reliford Case | Bechand Case |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2026 | 2025 |
| Charge | Attempted murder, assault | Murder |
| Peffer’s Role | Defense team member | Lead defense attorney |
| Outcome | Not guilty on attempted murder; convicted on lesser charges | Trial stage (outcome not yet public at time of writing) |
| Significance | Successfully challenged the top charge despite video evidence | Entrusted with a murder case early in his tenure |
These cases show that Peffer handles the criminal defense spectrum — from serious assault to homicide. His courtroom work continues to expand as he takes on new assignments in Albany County.
How to Get a Public Defender in Albany County
If you have been charged with a crime in Albany County and cannot afford an attorney, here is how the process works:
- Appear in court — When you are arraigned, the judge will ask if you have an attorney.
- Request appointed counsel — Tell the judge you cannot afford a lawyer.
- Financial screening — The court reviews your income, assets, and expenses to determine eligibility. In New York, eligibility is based on income thresholds set by the state.
- Assignment — If eligible, the court assigns an attorney from the Albany County Public Defender’s Office or another appointed counsel panel.
- First meeting — Your assigned attorney will contact you to discuss the charges, evidence, and next steps.
You do not choose which specific public defender is assigned to your case. Assignments are made by the office based on caseload and availability.
Office Contact Information
Albany County Public Defender’s Office
112 State Street, Floor 2
Albany, NY 12207
Call the office directly during business hours for eligibility questions. Do not contact individual attorneys on social media for legal matters — all client communications go through the office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kyan Peffer’s current job?
He is an Assistant Public Defender at the Albany County Public Defender’s Office in Albany, New York. He has held this position since September 2024.
Where does Kyan Peffer work?
He works at 112 State Street, Floor 2, Albany, NY 12207 — the Albany County Public Defender’s Office.
What law school did Kyan Peffer attend?
He graduated cum laude from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in 2020.
What cases has Kyan Peffer handled?
He was part of the defense team in the Curtis Reliford Exxon stabbing case (2026), where the jury found the defendant not guilty of attempted murder. He also represented Bechand in a 2025 Albany County murder trial.
How much legal experience does Kyan Peffer have?
He has more than five years of experience since graduating law school in 2020. Before law school, he worked in legal aid and private practice roles starting after his 2016 undergraduate graduation.
Is a public defender a real lawyer?
Yes. Public defenders are licensed attorneys who meet the same bar admission requirements as any other lawyer. Many, including Peffer, also have private practice experience.
Can I get a public defender for any type of case?
Public defenders handle criminal cases. If you are charged with a crime and cannot afford an attorney, the court will determine if you qualify for appointed counsel. Public defenders do not handle civil cases like divorces, lawsuits, or landlord disputes.
Conclusion
Kyan Peffer built his career through a combination of academic rigor and hands-on courtroom work. After earning two cum laude degrees — in History from SUNY Oswego and in Law from Hofstra — he spent years in legal aid and private practice before joining the Albany County Public Defender’s Office in 2024. He now handles serious criminal cases, including felony assault and murder trials. As New York’s public defense system continues to evolve, attorneys like Peffer remain central to protecting the rights of defendants who cannot afford private counsel.
No Comment! Be the first one.