In New York, issues of criminal justice fall under the responsibility of the Southern and Northern Attorney Generals. The job of the New York Attorney General is to represent the people of NY in court during civil and criminal cases and provide legal advice to state officers, boards, agencies and commissions.
The current Attorney General of New York is Letitia James. She is a Democrat and has been in office since January 1, 2019.
United States Attorney’s Office
The United States Attorney’s Office, both the Southern District of New York and the Northern District of New York are responsible for assisting NY criminal justice agencies and district attorneys to properly and efficiently administer justice. The NY Attorney General’s office, therefore, provides support to law enforcement agencies across the State of New York concerning criminal investigations or forensic science requirements.
Responsibilities
The New York Attorney General’s office is also responsible for conducting most of the trial work in which the United States is a party. They have three primary statutory responsibilities (according to Section 507 of Title 28 of the United States Code). These responsibilities are the prosecution of criminal cases that the federal government is bringing up, the prosecution and defense of civil cases, and the collection of debts owed to the federal government.
Districts of New York Attorney General’s Office
Northern District
The Northern District of New York comprises of 32 counties. 46 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and more than 54 support personnel work in Syracuse, Albany, Binghamton, and Plattsburgh offices.
Southern District
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York covers the boroughs of Manhattan and Bronx in New York City, along with Putnam, Rockland, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan and Westchester.
Services and Programs
General Crimes Unit
The office of the New York Attorney General provides a great array of services and programs meant to better protect the public against crime. The General Crimes Unit is one example of such a program the Northern NY District offers. Prosecutors who have been assigned to work for this unit collaborate with federal investigative agencies.
Drug & Violent Crimes Unit
The Drug & Violent Crimes Unit comprises prosecutors who work with federal crime investigators to fight against drug trafficking organizations. The unit makes full use of the latest technology currently available to fight drug trafficking.
Community Outreach Initiatives
Moreover, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is also involved in several community outreach initiatives meant to diminish the crime rate here. Project Safe Neighborhoods, Safe Childhood, and Operation Impact are the main programs that can be mentioned here.
Victim and Witness Coordinator
The Office’s Victim and Witness Coordinator offers crucial services and aid to the victims and witnesses of federal crimes. This program is a provider of information concerning compensation for expenses and court-ordered restitution. The Office is also able to protect the rights of crime victims in the State of New York. Counseling and compensation also matter that this Office is addressing. It enables crime victims to constantly know the status of their cases and the criminal investigation they are involved in. Counseling and compensation also matter that this Office is addressing.