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Government of Erie County, New York

• District Attorney
• Administration
• Appeals Bureau
• Buffalo City Court Bureau
• Community Prosecution Unit
• Felony Trial Bureau
• Grand Jury Bureau
• Homicide Bureau
• Justice Courts Bureau
• Narcotics Bureau
• Special Investigations Bureau
• Special Victims Bureau
• Vehicular Crimes Bureau
• Victim/Witness Assistance Program

Frank A. Sedita, III
Erie County District Attorney
PHONE: 716-858-2424
FAX: 716-858-7425

The District Attorney is Erie County's chief prosecutor, responsible for investigating crime, presenting evidence to the Grand Jury, and implementing the just prosecution of persons indicted for criminal offenses. The District Attorney tries felonies in Erie County and New York State Supreme Courts; as well as misdemeanors and non-criminal offenses in the city, town and village courts of Erie County. In related duties, the District Attorney also argues appeals and handles other post-conviction matters, initiates forfeiture proceedings, oversees extradition of wanted persons, and litigates habeas corpus petitions brought in both state and federal court. The work performed by the District Attorney's Office is mandated by New York State law.

SERVICE OBJECTIVES

• To present evidence to the Grand Jury in felony cases.
• To prosecute cases in the 12 City Court criminal courts for misdemeanors and other offenses originating in the City of Buffalo.
• To prosecute cases in the 38 Justice Criminal Courts for misdemeanors and other offenses originating in Erie County cities, towns and villages outside the City of Buffalo.
• To prosecute felony offenses in Superior Court that includes career criminal cases and major violent offenses.
• To investigate and prosecute assault, rape and sexual abuse cases.
• To manage, investigate and prosecute felony and misdemeanor level cases of domestic violence.
• To promote community outreach and education in abuse prevention
• To provide supportive services to victims and witnesses of crime through counseling, referral service and community education.
• To conduct special investigations and prosecute cases of public corruption, white-collar crime, tax fraud and arson.
• To investigate and prosecute welfare fraud, food stamp fraud and criminal non-support cases To initiate, investigate and prosecute narcotics cases.
• To initiate, investigate and process asset forfeiture actions To conduct post-trial proceedings and file appeals cases to county, state and federal appeals courts.
• To process federal Habeas Corpus proceedings.
• Effectively utilize grant funding to provide this Office with the ability to devote more prosecutors and support staff for enhanced prosecution efforts and best serve the needs of this County.
• To investigate and prosecute vehicular crimes.
• To assist law enforcement in making a crime scene determination in an auto accident.
• To train law enforcement on new vehicular crime law and technology in investigating vehicular crimes.
• To work with S.T.O.P. DWI by providing monthly statistics and case dispositions to aid them with fine tracking. Also assist them with legal issues, such as conducting a constitutionally valid DWI checkpoint.

The Erie County District Attorney's Office handles approximately 45,000 misdemeanor and 2,500 felony matters a year. This office is presently comprised of approximately 85 attorneys, 12 investigators and 60 support staff. The Erie County District Attorney's Office is broken up into 11 bureaus to prosecute all different types of crimes; click on a bureau on the left for more information.

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