District Attorney Rollins Welcomes New Attorneys
Swearing-in Ceremony Tops Off Week of Groundbreaking Training
BOSTON, September 20, 2019 — District Attorney Rachael Rollins today welcomed the 2019 class of new attorneys to her office, who this week underwent a rigorous training to familiarize them with every aspect of the criminal justice system.
"This team comes with many different experiences and ideas of what it means to be a good prosecutor – giving them the diverse viewpoints necessary to represent a diverse public," District Attorney Rollins said. "What every one of them has in common, and what binds every member of this Office, is a dedication to public service and keeping our communities safe through the administration of justice."
The new arrivals were sworn-in during a ceremony at the Parkman House this afternoon. In addition to District Attorney Rollins, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross spoke to the gathering of new hires, their families, and colleagues eager to welcome the new attorneys to their ranks. Also in attendance were several representatives from the Massachusetts State Police, Commissioner of Probation Ed Dolan, Chief Counsel Anthony Benedetti of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, Transit Police Chief Kenneth Green and Superintendent Richard Sullivan, and representatives from other partner agencies.
The new additions to District Attorney Rollins’s staff this week heard from a number of stakeholders in the criminal justice system, including panels of survivors, defense attorneys, returning citizens, and judges. The training also included trips to Boston Police Headquarters and the Nashua Street Jail, in addition to presentations by different units within the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
"We need to break down silos so that we can achieve the best possible outcomes for victims and the communities we serve, as well as individuals who come in contact with the criminal justice system. I’m incredibly proud that my Office created a holistic approach to training and mentoring our new ADAs to support this effort – especially the community members most impacted by our work," District Attorney Rollins said. "Serving the community means engaging with the community – not just on the worst days of their lives – but every day; not just in courtrooms, but in their neighborhoods." In addition to this new class of ADAs, District Attorney Rollins has made several other new hires with backgrounds in social work, public policy, data, and public health.
District Attorney Rollins is committed to proactive policies that prioritize treatment and services for individuals whose non-violent offenses stem from substance use disorder, mental illness, homelessness, or poverty, while investing this Office’s limited resources into prosecuting the cases that cause the greatest harm in our communities. The new training program introduced this week marks a step toward instilling these values at every level of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. The 160+ attorneys practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs more than 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.