Message from the President

Hon. Derek P. Champagne, Franklin County District Attorney

Having celebrated its centennial in 2009, the District Attorneys Association is now entering its second century of service. I would like to thank my predecessor, Warren County District Attorney Kathleen Hogan for her year of dedicated service on behalf of the citizens of New York State. At the outset of her tenure she urged DAASNY to become a "positive, pro-active, and relentless force to improve the criminal justice system and promote public safety." I hope to continue to promote this goal by highlighting the good work of my colleagues through the DAASNY newsletter; supporting legislation that will better protect New Yorkers, such as DNA for all convictions; and, most importantly, by being a voice for justice. I look forward to a year of reducing crime and protecting the citizens of New York State.

****

DAASNY Facts

The District Attorneys Association of the State of New York was formed in 1909, as the idea of District Attorney Beecher S. Clother of Glens Falls (Warren County), New York. The first known public mention of its formation appeared in the Rochester (New York) Union and Advertizer in its August 27, 1909 issue. "Upon the theory that big crooks have an organization to beat the law," the article stated, "the district attorneys of the state are going to combine into an association by which they will defeat the lawbreakers by mutual help."

There are 62 elected district attorneys in New York State, one for each county.

Thirty-eight district attorney offices have fewer than 10 prosecutors, twenty have fewer than 5. Seven offices have more than 100 prosecutors.