Felony Trials Bureau is responsible for the prosecution of felony offenders for crimes including assault and cases involving the use and/or possession of firearms. This bureau, led by Chief Danielle D'Abate, Chief Alicia A. Lilley, and Chief Cathleen M. Roemer, is also responsible for prosecution of non-violent felony cases that do not involve bodily harm or the threat of bodily harm to victims. Non-violent felonies include, but are not limited to, burglary, robbery, auto theft, grand larceny and felony criminal mischief.
All felony cases are ultimately prosecuted in the Superior Courts, which include Erie County Court, State Supreme Court and several specialty courts. Over 2,000 cases are reviewed annually for felony level prosecution (some result in the Grand Jury issuing a No True Bill, while other cases are returned to the local court for prosecution as a misdemeanor level offense). Ultimately, approximately 1,700 felony cases are prosecuted per year in the Superior Courts of Erie County.