@sandra_doorley  DAsandradoorley

The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office

The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the leadership of Sandra Doorley, is charged with prosecuting felony and misdemeanor crimes and violations perpetrated against the citizens of Monroe County. The District Attorney, whose work is mandated by state law, is a constitutional officer elected to a four-year term as the county’s Chief Prosecutor. In 2019, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office successfully prosecuted nearly 20,000 cases (not including Traffic Court), ranking it among the top DA’s offices in New York State based on caseload. The office is arranged into twelve bureaus, each overseen by a Bureau Chief whose team of legal professionals specialize in the prosecution of specific crimes. To stay up to date with the Monroe County District Attorney's Office, register for the weekly newsletter at [email protected]. 

Commons - Monroe County District Attorney's Office Data Presented by Measures for Justice

Commons—a community-driven data tool—is now available in Monroe County, NY! Explore how cases move through the Monroe County District Attorney's Office. 

Victims of Homicide - Always Remembered 

Here at the Monroe County District Attorney's Office, we see victims and their families during the very worst moments of their lives. It is important that our community does not forget the names and faces of those we have lost to homicides. The pictures below are some of the lives that were taken from our community who we will never forget. The pictures have been provided by family members to the District Attorney's Office. If you would like your loved one featured, please contact us at [email protected]. It is our hope that these faces will remind everyone that any life lost to homicide is one too many. 

Brandon Hawkins	Pedro C. Santiago	Shaniece Taylor
Issaiah Mathis	Maximilian Cook	Alyssa Spalty

Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley

Elected in 2011, Sandra Doorley is the first female District Attorney in Monroe County history. In 2015, 2019, and 2023, Doorley was re-elected to her second, third, and fourth four year terms. Prior to assuming office, Doorley served the District Attorney’s Office with distinction for nearly twenty years, successfully prosecuting thousands of high profile criminal cases and compiling an impressive record of victories. After joining the office in 1992, Sandra Doorley served under two consecutive administrations in the following capacities:

• Chief of the Felony DWI Bureau (2004-2005)
• Deputy Chief of the Major Felony Bureau (2005-2008)
• Second Assistant District Attorney (2008)
• First Assistant District Attorney (2008-2011)
• Homicide Bureau Chief (2008-2011)

Sandra Doorley is a graduate of the Syracuse University School of Law and completed her undergraduate studies at the University at Albany. She currently lives with her family in Webster.

Second Assistant District Attorney Michelle Crowley

The Second Assistant District Attorney is appointed by the District Attorney and is responsible for both office administration and the direct oversight of four interoffice bureaus. Named Second Assistant Distict Attorney in November 2024, Michelle Crowley returned to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office in 2012 after serving in the Ontario County District Attorney’s Office.  Crowley began her career as a prosecutor in Orange County where she was the head of the Domestic Violence Unit before moving to Monroe County in 2002, becoming one of the Major Felony Bureau’s top prosecutors. When District Attorney Doorley took office in 2012, she brought back ADA Crowley as the Director of Attorney Training and Grand Jury. ADA Crowley helped to make this position what is is today and was responsible for ensuring that prosecutors working within the office comply with the continuing legal education requirement mandated by the State of New York for all practicing attorneys. In this role, Ms. Crowley worked with Assistant District Attorneys both individually and in groups providing comprehensive and consistent training in an effort to leave them in the best position possible to obtain convictions and ensure the safety of the community. In her 20 plus year career, Ms. Crowley has prosecuted hundreds of violent felony cases, including homicides.  A native of Elmira, New York, Ms. Crowley performed her undergraduate studies at Ithaca College and completed her Juris Doctorate at the Albany School of Law.

Overview of the District Attorney’s Office

The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office is structured into twelve Bureaus, most are overseen by a Bureau Chief and Deputy Bureau Chief charged with the prosecution of specific crimes.  The Chief of each Bureau reports to either the First Assistant District Attorney or the Second Assistant District Attorney, depending on the Bureau’s area of specialization.  In 2012, the Special Victims Trial Division was created, integrating four discrete but similar bureaus into a single trial division in an effort to better facilitate the prosecution of these crimes.

Major Felony Bureau

Headed by Assistant District Attorney Matthew Schwartz, the Major Felony Bureau prosecutes career criminals and violent felony offenders for crimes including homicide, robbery, burglary, and assault. Homicide prosecutions are conducted by the First Assistant District Attorney with assistance from other attorneys assigned to this bureau. The Chief of the Major Felony Bureau reports directly to the First Assistant District Attorney.

Special Investigations Bureau

Headed by Assistant District Attorney Robin Catalano, the Special Investigations Bureau is responsible for the prosecution of all felony drug and gun cases, the acquisition of court orders for wiretaps, and for coordinating with arresting agencies to seize the assets of convicted drug dealers.  In January of 2012, the prosecution of crimes involving guns was moved from the Major Felonies Bureau to the Special Investigations Bureau because felony drug crimes and guns crimes are so often interrelated. The Chief of the Special Investigations Bureau reports directly to the Second Assistant District Attorney. 

Vehicular Crimes Bureau

Headed by Ray Benitez, the Vehicular Crimes Bureau is responsible for prosecuting all defendants charged with felony DWI, vehicular assault, and vehicular homicide, in addition to other crimes associated with the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle (i.e., Aggravated Unlicensed Operation). The Chief of the DWI Bureau reports directly to the Second Assistant District Attorney.

General Felony Bureau

Headed by Michael Harrigan, the Non-Violent Felony Bureau prosecutes felony cases that do not involve bodily harm or the threat of bodily harm to victims. These crimes include burglary, auto theft, grand larceny, felony criminal mischief, and fraud cases not prosecuted by another specialized bureau. The Chief of the Non-Violent Felony Bureau reports directly to the First Assistant District Attorney.

Public Integrity/Economic Crime Bureau

Headed by Christopher Bokelman, the Economic Crime Bureau prosecutes cases of major fraud (involving amounts in excess of $10,000) on the part of individuals, businesses, or their employees. This bureau also investigates and prosecutes identity theft cases, felony insurance fraud, welfare fraud, and bank robberies not involving the use of firearms. In addition to the prosecution of these crimes, the Economic Crime Bureau works in cooperation with the County Child Support Enforcement Unit to identify and prosecute child support delinquency cases. The Chief of the Economic Crime Bureau reports directly to the Second Assistant District Attorney.

Grand Jury Bureau

Headed by Michelle Crowley, the Grand Jury Bureau assists prosecutors working on felony-level cases schedule and prepare arguments for presentation before the Grand Jury. The Grand Jury Bureau works closely with the Office of the Commissioner of Jurors to ensure the smooth operation of the several Grand Juries that are empanelled each court term in Monroe County. In addition to supervising the bureau, Ms. Crowley advises prosecutors on Grand Jury presentation procedures and techniques. The Chief of the Grand Jury Bureau reports directly to the Second Assistant District Attorney.

Local Courts Bureau

Headed by Elizabeth Buckley, the Local Courts Bureau prosecutes all misdemeanor and violation-level offenses in city, town, and village courts, in addition to handling traffic matters in the village and town courts. Prosecutors from this bureau assigned to City Court also oversee most felony arraignments. At more than 29,000 cases per year, the Local Courts Bureau prosecutes the largest volume of cases and is thus assigned the largest number of attorney staff. The Chief of the Local Courts Bureau reports directly to the Second Assistant District Attorney.

Appeals Bureau

Headed by Scott Myles, the Appeals Bureau responds to all appeals made in felony cases, and makes appellate motions on behalf of prosecutors assigned to other bureaus. The Appeals Bureau also handles all fugitive matters, extradition cases, Federal Habeas Corpus requests, and Freedom of Information Act inquiries. Prosecutors assigned to this bureau argue cases before all appellate courts, including the US Supreme Court. The Chief of the Appeals Bureau reports directly to the First Assistant District Attorney.

Special Victims Unit

Headed by Sara Vanstrydonck, the Special Victims Unit is responsible for prosecuting all cases involving the physical and sexual abuse of children, crimes involving child neglect and/or endangerment and cases involving adult sexual assaults.  This Bureau is comprised of trial attorneys with specialized knowledge and training in sex and child crimes, and prosecutors who work for this Bureau work closely with victim advocates who support the victim throughout the criminal process in an effort to minimize trauma. The Chief of the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau reports directly to the First Assistant District Attorney.

Domestic Violence Bureau

Headed by Patrick Gallagher, the Domestic Violence Bureau is responsible for prosecuting cases involving crimes characterized as abuse by one adult or adolescent intimate partner against another.  Crimes that would typically be prosecuted by this bureau include the felony classifications of criminal contempt, assault, stalking, kidnapping, criminal mischief, and burglary in addition to related misdemeanor offenses. The Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau reports directly to the First Assistant District Attorney.

Non-Prosecutorial Support Functions

While the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office is primarily composed of attorneys charged with prosecuting crimes, a secondary body of “non-prosecutorial staff” assist both the District Attorney and the Office’s prosecutors by assuming the numerous ancillary roles and performing the many tasks that result in successful convictions.

Victim Witness Bureau

The Victim Witness Bureau assists the victims of serious crimes by helping them cope with the demands of the criminal justice system after what is often a traumatic and life-altering event. The Victim Witness Bureau regularly makes referrals to counseling, arranges rides to and from court, provides interpreters when needed, assists in preparation of victim impact statements, and makes referrals for assistance from the NYS Office of Victim Services. In addition to these roles, the staff of the Victim Witness Bureau works closely with the District Attorney’s Office and Probation to obtain court orders for the restitution of losses.

District Attorney Investigators Bureau

Composed of designated police officers, the District Attorney Investigators Bureau is tasked with conducting critical investigative work designed to supplement and enhance the prosecutorial efforts of the District Attorney’s Office. These investigative tasks include but are not limited to witness cultivation, witness interviewing, and the administration of sealed investigations under the direction of the District Attorney.  Members of the District Attorney Investigators Bureau are seasoned law enforcement professionals.

Administration & Support Services

The Administration & Support Services staff perform critical, non-prosecutorial functions for the District Attorney and her team of 80 prosecutors. Tasks that are typically handled by this staff include but are not limited to management of the office budget, grant writing and grant management, oversight of personnel issues, and assisting the District Attorney with public outreach and communications. In addition to these functions, members of the Administration & Support Services staff perform essential clerical duties for all bureaus including data entry, document preparation, and other support services as required.