BUFFALO, NEW YORK – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn has been named as a lifetime member of the Council on Criminal Justice based upon his record of accomplishments and continued leadership in criminal justice and public policy. The Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ), an independent, nonpartisan organization based in Washington, DC, aims to advance the understanding of criminal justice policy challenges and build consensus for solutions to enhance safety and justice.
The Council’s diverse membership consists of experts, innovators and influencers who shape the direction of policy, practice and the national conversation on criminal justice-related issues. Members help set the organization’s agenda on research and policy. Council members may also be invited to sit on independent task forces and study groups, serve as reviewers of research and act as advisors on special projects.
According to the CCJ, “membership serves as acknowledgement of the accomplishments of established leaders and as an honor to which the next generation of criminal justice trailblazers can aspire. It helps develop a strong cohort of people ready and able to manage and lead the field through future challenges, and supports the advancement of professionals and emerging leaders who are under-represented in the field, such as formerly incarcerated individuals, women, LGBTQ people, and career-changers.”
Prospective members must be nominated by a current Council member and seconded by at least two other members. Nominations are reviewed by the organization’s Membership Committee then submitted to the Council's Board of Directors who vote to elect lifetime members. District Attorney Flynn was nominated by Jim Seward, Director of the Council’s Veterans Justice Commission who previously served as General Counsel to former South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard and Colonel in the U.S. Army.
DA Flynn currently serves as the President of District Attorneys Association of the State of New York (DAASNY), a not-for-profit organization that represents prosecutors across the state and promotes communication, cooperation, training and consultation on matters concerning crime and improving the legal system. He also serves as the Chair of the Board for the National District Attorneys Association after completing his one-year term as President of NDAA in July 2023.
For more information on Council on Criminal Justice: counciloncj.org