The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office is charged with prosecuting felony and misdemeanor crimes and violations perpetrated against the citizens of Monroe County. With 70 attorneys and support staff of 68, the DA’s Office is one of the largest law firms in Monroe County. Based on caseload (5,550 felony arraignments, 28,399 non-felony arraignments in 2002), the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office ranks in the top ten offices in counties statewide.
The District Attorney is a constitutional officer elected to a four-year term as Chief Prosecutor for Monroe County. The work performed by the DAs Office is mandated by state law. The First Assistant District Attorney is appointed by the District Attorney and is responsible for homicide prosecutions, and general office administration.
Overview of the District Attorney’s Office
The office is structured into 13 bureaus and units. Each bureau or unit is overseen by a bureau chief or unit head.
Major Felony/Gun Violence Bureau
Prosecutes career criminals and violent felony offense categories of robbery, burglary, assault, rape, and sexual abuse, cases involving the use of firearms in the commission of a felony. In addition, two of the ADAs assigned specialize in prosecuting felonies involving the illegal possession and sale of firearms, and work with the US Attorney’s Office in the Project Exile program, which allows the prosecution of some of these cases in Federal Court in order to obtain longer prison sentences than State Courts may allow.
Homicide prosecutions are overseen directly by the First Assistance District Attorney with assistance from other attorneys assigned to this bureau.
Special Investigations Bureau
Prosecutes all felony drug possession and sale cases, obtains court orders for wiretaps when required, and works with arresting agencies to seize the assets of convicted drug dealers.
Domestic Violence/Elder Abuse Bureau
Prosecutes all child abuse cases, domestic violence cases, and non-violent felony cases where the victim is age 65 or older.
DWI Bureau
Prosecutes all defendants charged with felony DWI, vehicular assaults and homicides, and related cases (Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Vehicle 1st for example).
Economic Crime/Superior Court Bureau
Economic Crime ADA’s prosecute cases of major fraud (generally involving amounts of $10,000 or more) on the part of individuals, businesses, or their employees. They also investigate and prosecute county-wide check fraud schemes, all cases of felony insurance fraud, Welfare fraud, bank robberies not involving the use of firearms, and work with the County Child Support Enforcement Unit to identify and prosecute child support delinquency cases. Superior Court ADA’s prosecutes non-violent felony burglary cases, auto theft, grand larceny, felony criminal mischief, and fraud cases not prosecuted by the other more specialized bureaus.
Grand Jury Bureau
Grand Jury administrative staff assist all felony attorneys in scheduling cases for Grand Jury presentation, and work 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. The ADA who supervises the bureau also advises prosecutors on presentation procedures and techniques.
Local Courts Bureau
Prosecutes all misdemeanors and violations in city, town, and village courts, and handles traffic matters in the village and town courts. Those assigned to City Court also oversee most felony arraignments. This bureau alone handles over 28,000 cases per year.
Appeals Bureau
Responds to all appeals made in felony cases, and makes appellate motions on behalf of Prosecutors assigned to the other bureaus. Also handles all fugitive matters, extradition cases, Federal Habeas Corpus requests, and Freedom of Information Act inquiries. Attorneys argue cases before all appellate courts, including the US Supreme Court.
Community Prosecution Program
One part-time ADA works directly with police and community groups on “restorative justice” or neighborhood-based grass roots crime prevention and prosecution issues.
Victim Witness Unit
Works with victims of serious felonies, helping them cope with the demands of the criminal justice system. Makes referrals to counseling, arranges rides to and from court, provides interpreters when needed, assists in preparation of victim impact statements, makes referrals for assistance from the NYS Crime Victims Board. Staff also works with ADAs and Probation staff to obtain court orders for restitution for losses.
District Attorney Investigators
Locates additional witnesses to enhance the prosecution of cases, interviews witness, transports victims and witnesses to court appearances. Also undertakes sealed investigations under the direction of ADAs, and provides assistance to other police and government agencies in arson and child support delinquency investigations.
Administration/Support Services
Manages DA budget, undertakes grant writing and grant management, oversees personnel procedures, provides all clerical support, data entry, and other support services as required.
About Michael Green, DA
Mike Green was elected Monroe County District Attorney in 2003.
Prior to his election he served as an Assistant District Attorney in Monroe County since 1987. Green has served in numerous capacities in the office, including as the First Assistant District Attorney, the Capital Crimes Prosecutor, Deputy Chief of the Major Felony Bureau, Chief of the DWI Bureau, and trial attorney in the Major Felony, County Court, DWI, and Local Court Bureaus.
Mike Green has tried over 100 jury trials, prosecuted over 30 homicide cases, and obtained 88 felony trial convictions. He has been lead prosecutor on four first-degree murder cases, including the prosecution of one of the six people currently on death row in New York.
He has been instrumental in implementing many innovative programs in the District Attorney’s Office, including Project Exile, Community Prosecution, Evidence Based Prosecution of Domestic Violence Cases, and the Prosecution of Dead Beat Parents. Mr. Green has served as faculty for the National College of District Attorney’s at the National Advocacy Center. In addition he has lectured for the New York Prosecutors Training Institute, the Monroe County Bar Association, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, the Monroe County Criminal Justice Training Center, the New York State Law Enforcement Training Directors, and the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators.
Green is a past regional vice president of the Association of Government Attorneys in Capital Litigation. Mike has been active in Families and Friends of Murdered Children since its inception and serves on their advisory board. He received the Audrey Smith Award in 2000 and a Certificate of Recognition in 2003 from the Monroe County/City of Rochester Coalition for Crime Victims for his work with victims. He is an active member of the Monroe County Bar Association, having served on the Judiciary Committee and as Chair of the Criminal Justice Section. Mike also tutors at school 29 in the City School District through the lawyers for learning program.
Mike is married to Karen Green and has two daughters, Meghan and Tori. They are active members of St. Catherine of Sienna Church.
