General Prosecutions Division
Most cases, whether misdemeanors or felonies, are investigated and prosecuted by the bureaus within the General Prosecutions Division.
Buffalo City Court
This bureau, led by Chief Hilarie L. Henry and Assistant Chief Christopher M. McCarthy, handles the highest volume of criminal cases in the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. All cases, whether felonies or misdemeanors, must be reviewed for legal and factual sufficiency. Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the Buffalo City Court Bureau must handle the follow-up investigation, conduct legal research, respond to motions, obtain statements from witnesses, locate and secure evidence, conduct pre-trial hearings and continue to trial if the matter cannot be resolved by a plea agreement. Buffalo City Court is comprised of nine regular criminal parts and specialty parts, including Diversion Courts (Domestic Violence, Drug, Mental Health, Opioid Intervention, Human Trafficking and Veteran’s Court).
Justice Courts
The Justice Courts Bureau is responsible for prosecuting criminal matters in the city, town and villages courts in Erie County. Led by Chief Paul J. Glascott, this bureau handles the second highest volume of cases in the District Attorney's Office. Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the Justice Courts Bureau must handle the post-arrest investigation, conduct legal research, respond to motions, obtain witness statements, locate discovery, secure evidence, conduct pre-trial hearings and continue to trial if the matter cannot be resolved by a plea agreement.
Grand Jury
The Grand Jury is a secret proceeding where an empaneled group of citizens decide if the prosecutor has enough evidence to pursue a felony charge against a defendant. If the Grand Jury votes to indict the defendant, the felony case will proceed to Erie County Court or State Supreme Court. Staff assigned to this bureau assist Assistant District 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 two Grand Juries empaneled each court term in Erie County.
The bureau, led by Chief Rachel Newton, advises prosecutors on presentation procedures and techniques. In addition to presenting cases to the Grand Jury, Chief Newton coordinates the work of stenographers who transcribe the proceedings, assists with Grand Jury empanelment, administers a legal charge and orients the Grand Jury officers regarding their duties, handles weekly Grand Jury reports and related administrative duties involving the preparation of indictments and dismissals for these reports.
Homicide
The Homicide Bureau is responsible for reviewing all homicides that occur within Erie County. While certain cases may be referred to other bureaus, this bureau handles the investigation and prosecution of the majority of homicides, which include the most complex and high-profile murder cases. Our prosecutors develop these criminal cases through the use of forensic science, digital evidence, autopsies, DNA testing and other investigative methods. Our Assistant District Attorneys routinely participate in suspect interviews and prepare search warrants, making certain that these investigative techniques do not run afoul of the often complex legal pitfalls that could be detrimental to a successful criminal prosecution.
Chief Ashley M. Morgan is responsible for overseeing the investigation of all homicides within Erie County. He supervises a team of some of the most experienced Assistant District Attorneys and Confidential Criminal Investigators within our office while maintaining their own caseload. The Homicide Bureau Chief is on-call 24/7 to advise law enforcement agencies on matters concerning criminal charges, search warrants, evidence collection, witness and suspect interviews.
Major Crimes
The Major Crimes Bureau is dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of gun violence-related crimes in Erie County. The bureau, led by Chief Christopher S. Safulko, oversees a team of experienced Assistant District Attorneys who have a proven record of trial skills. As many of these crimes involve reluctant victims and witnesses, prosecutors assigned to this bureau are proficient in securing testimonial evidence.
The bureau works closely in collaboration with the Buffalo Police Department Gun Violence Unit as well as the Erie County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, federal law enforcement agencies and Erie County Central Police Services to monitor and respond to escalating gang violence. Our prosecutors, working alongside these partner agencies, attempt to detect and prevent gun violence before it occurs by identifying on-going conflicts and developing strategic leads to interrupt potential violence.
Vehicular Crimes
This bureau, led by Chief Patrick B. Shanahan, handles the investigation and prosecution of crimes involving the use of a motor vehicle (vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, leaving the scene of an incident involving death or serious physical injury, aggravated driving while intoxicated or ability impaired by drugs). Misdemeanor impaired driving offenses are generally prosecuted in the local courts by prosecutors assigned to the Buffalo City Court Bureau and Justice Courts Bureau.
As most of these offenses occur during the late evening or early morning hours, it is critical that the initial investigation is conducted immediately and correctly to obtain crucial evidence. In addition to overseeing a team of three Assistant District Attorneys and managing his own caseload, Chief Shanahan is on-call to advise law enforcement agencies on matters concerning criminal charges, search warrants, evidence collection, witness interviews and accident reconstruction.
Narcotics/Intelligence
The Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau, led by Chief James W. Mansour, II, is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of individuals who traffic and distribute illegal drugs in our communities. Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the Narcotics/Intelligence Unit work alongside our partners in law enforcement to investigate and aggressively prosecute drug dealers within the bounds of the law. The bureau collaborates with local, state and federal agencies to identify and disrupt the sources of these deadly drugs that have been trafficked into Erie County. The mission of the bureau is to prosecute the individual street drug dealers while working to uncover the sources of their supply through intelligence.
Felony Trials
This bureau, led by Chief Noha Elnakib, Chief Andres D. Ortiz, and Chief Rebecca Schnirel, is responsible for the prosecution of violent and non-violent felony offenses, including, but not limited to: assault, burglary, robbery, and cases involving the use and/or possession of firearms. This bureau reviews cases for felony level prosecution, which are ultimately handled in the Superior Courts (Erie County Court, State Supreme Court and several specialty courts). Other cases may be returned to the local court for prosecution as a misdemeanor offense or result in the Grand Jury issuing a No True Bill.
Domestic Violence
This bureau consists of prosecutors, investigators and victim advocates who work exclusively on cases involving domestic and intimate partner violence. The bureau, led by Chief Gina M. Gramaglia and Assistant Chief Rebecca A. Fioravanti, has a dual mission: prosecute the offenders and prevent future harm to the victim.
Due to the sensitive nature and complex dynamics associated with these crimes, Assistant District Attorneys must dedicate additional time and attention to these cases as victims are often reluctant to report the crime or testify against their abuser. Cases involving domestic or intimate partner violence are prosecuted through a multi-disciplinary, victim-centered approach designed to minimize trauma and promote healing. Our office has specially-trained victim advocates who work with survivors to provide support throughout the criminal justice process while offering crisis intervention counseling, safety planning and other services based upon their individual needs.
In addition to seeking justice for their crimes, our prosecutors secure orders of protection to prevent the abuser from having further contact or causing future harm to the victim. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office is a member of a multi-disciplinary team that includes law enforcement, probation and community-based providers. Together, we identify high-risk victims of domestic/intimate partner violence and work to increase survivor safety. The multi-disciplinary team is supported by the Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE), established by Governor Kathy Hochul, to enhance case intervention strategies focused on collecting evidence, prosecuting offenders, and connecting high-risk survivors to supportive services.
Special Victims
The Special Victims Unit (SVU) consists of prosecutors, investigators and victim advocates who are dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of cases involving sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking. It is our mission to aggressively pursue justice while providing support to the survivors throughout the criminal justice process and ensuring that their rights are protected. The team assigned this unit, led by Chief Cathleen M. Roemer and Assistant Chief Rebecca A. Fioravanti, has extensive experience and specialized training to handle these sensitive and complex cases with a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach.
We work with law enforcement and partner agencies to investigate crimes against children. In addition to holding the offenders accountable, we aim to reduce trauma, provide safety and promote healing. Our prosecutors work with the Child Advocacy Center at BestSelf Behavioral Health, which offers a child-friendly environment for forensic interviews and comprehensive services. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office is a member of the Western District of New York Human Trafficking Task Force. We work with our partners to identify and prosecute offenders who force victims into sex trafficking or labor trafficking through physical force, fraud or coercion.
Special Investigations and Prosecutions
The Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Bureau is responsible for the investigation of financial crimes such as embezzlements, welfare fraud, identity theft, tax evasion falsifying business records, and financial elder abuse. The bureau, led by Chief Gary M. Ertel, handles cases that are usually more complex, time intensive and require a variety of technical skills and training not possessed by most prosecutors. Assistant District Attorneys assigned to this bureau work alongside seasoned investigators and retained forensic accountants.
Appeals
All defendants convicted of a crime, regardless of whether that conviction was the result of a plea or guilty verdict after trial, are entitled to appeal their conviction as a matter of right. Led by Chief Paul J. Williams, III, this bureau responds to appeals brought in Erie County Court, the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department and the New York State Court of Appeals. Appeals are also brought on behalf of the People in those courts. Appellate attorneys also defend against Federal habeas corpus petitions; motions for post-judgment relief pursuant to CPL Article 440; as well as petitions for a writ of error coram nobis.
Prosecutors assigned to the Appeals Bureau respond to Freedom of Information (FOIL) requests, civil matters involving the District Attorney’s Office, CPLR Article 78 petitions, and motions to unseal records. Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the bureau also act as legal counsel to all other attorneys in the office. Appellate attorneys are active in the Continuing Legal Education process, creating written material and giving lectures on various legal topics.
Specialized Prosecutions Division
Other criminal matters are assigned to the Special Prosecution Division. Prosecutors and support staff assigned to these specialized units investigate and prosecute crimes that require significant investments in time and/or specialized skills.
- Public Integrity Unit
- Conviction Integrity Unit
- Animal Cruelty Unit
- Raise the Age/Motor Vehicle Theft Insurance Fraud Unit
Prosecution Support Services Division
Staff assigned to the Prosecution Support Services Division provide the necessary non-legal and quasi-legal services to support our chief mission: the just prosecution of the defendant.
Crime victims, the families of crime victims and witnesses are often traumatized, frightened, reluctant and/or unaware of the mechanics of the criminal justice system. Assistant District Attorneys are chiefly responsible for the prosecution of offenders. Advocates assigned to the Victim/Witness Services Bureau are responsible for helping victims and witnesses and, when necessary, arranging for their protection and relocation. Our advocates receive specialized trauma-informed training to provide support for victims of sexual assault, child victims and the family members of homicide victims.
The BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program offers specialized support to survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence.
Many cases, regardless of bureau assignment, require additional investigation. Confidential Criminal Investigators and paralegals provide these services. Most of our criminal investigators are retired detectives with at least 20 years of law enforcement experience. Their duties include surveillance, interviewing witnesses, securing additional evidence, serving subpoenas and transporting witnesses to court.
Our support staff provide secretarial, information management, discovery expedition, and accounting services necessary to operate. Our office continuously seeks grants from state and federal sources to fund our support staff operations in an effort to lessening the burden to county taxpayers.