District Attorney of Richmond County (New York) explained

Post:District Attorney
Body:Richmond County, New York
Insignia:Richmond County District Attorney seal.png
Incumbent:Michael McMahon
Incumbentsince:January 1, 2016
Formation:February 16, 1796
First:Nathaniel Lawrence

The Richmond County District Attorney is the elected district attorney for Richmond County, coterminous with the Borough of Staten Island, in New York City. The office is responsible for the prosecution of violations of New York state laws, as violations of federal law in Richmond County are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. The current District Attorney is Michael McMahon.

History

In a legislative act of February 12, 1796, New York State was divided into seven districts, each with its own Assistant Attorney General. Richmond County was part of the First District, which also included Kings, Queens, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. At that time, Queens County included much of present-day Nassau County, and Westchester County included present-day Bronx County. The Assistant Attorney General was renamed District Attorney on April 4, 1801, and New York County was added to the First District. Westchester was separated from the First District in 1813, and New York County was separated in 1815. The 13 districts that existed were divided so that each county became its own district by a law passed on April 21, 1818.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Until 1822, the district attorney was appointed by the Council of Appointment, and held the office "during the Council's pleasure", meaning that there was no defined term of office. Under the provisions of the New York State Constitution of 1821, the D.A. was appointed to a three-year term by the County Court, and under the provisions of the Constitution of 1846, the office became elective by popular ballot.

In case of a vacancy, the Governor of New York appoints an interim district attorney who serves until a successor is elected at the next annual election.[5] The term was increased to four years for the Richmond County District Attorney in 1937.[6]

List of District Attorneys

District AttorneyDates in OfficeParty Notes
Nathaniel LawrenceFebruary 16, 1796 – July 15, 1797Dem.-Rep.died[7]
vacant July 15, 1797 - January 16, 1798
Cadwallader D. ColdenJanuary 16, 1798 – August 19, 1801Federalist
Richard RikerAugust 19, 1801 – February 13, 1810Dem.-Rep.
Cadwallader D. ColdenFebruary 13, 1810 – February 19, 1811Federalist
Richard RikerFebruary 19, 1811 – March 5, 1813Dem.-Rep.
Barent GardenierMarch 5, 1813 – April 8, 1815Federalist
Thomas S. LesterApril 8, 1815 – June 11, 1818?
George MetcalfeJune 11, 1818?[8] [9] [10]
Henry B. Metcalfe1826?[11]
Thomas S. Kingsland1833?
George Catlin[12] 1839?
1840?
Lot C. Clark[13] 1841 – 1849 ?
  • appointed[14]
  • elected to a three-year term[15]
  • resigned[16]
George CatlinNovember 28, 1849?[17]
George WhiteJanuary 1, 1851 – December 31, 1853?
  • elected to a three-year term
Alfred De GrootJanuary 1, 1854 – December 31, 1859?
  • elected to two three-year term[18] [19]
Abraham W. WinantJanuary 1, 1860 – December 31, 1865?
  • elected to two three-year terms
John H. HedleyJanuary 1, 1866 – December 31, 1871?
  • elected to two three-year terms
Sidney Fuller RawsonJanuary 1, 1872 – December 31, 1874Democratic
  • elected to a three-year term
  • did not run for re-election[20]
John Croak[21] January 1, 1875 – December 31, 1880Democratic
  • elected to two three-year terms[22] [23]
George GallagherJanuary 1, 1881 – December 31, 1889Democratic
  • elected to three three-year terms[24] [25] [26] [27]
  • lost the nomination to Fitzgerald at the county Democratic convention[28]
Thomas W. FitzgeraldJanuary 1, 1890 – December 31, 1895Democratic
  • elected to two three-year terms[29] [30]
George M. Pinney Jr.[31] January 1, 1896 – December 31, 1898Republican
  • elected to a three-year term[32]
Edward Sidney Rawson[33] January 1, 1899 – December 31, 1904Democratic
John J. Kenney[37] January 1, 1905 – December 31, 1907Democratic
  • elected to a three-year term[38]
Samuel H. EvinsJanuary 1, 1908 – December 31, 1910Democratic
  • elected to a three-year term[39]
Albert C. FachJanuary 1, 1911 – December 31, 1919Democratic
  • elected to three three-year terms[40] [41]
  • did not run for re-election[42]
Joseph H. Maloy[43] January 1, 1920 – January 1, 1924 Democratic
  • elected to two three-year terms[44] [45]
  • resigned to become a judge on the Court of Special Sessions
?January 1, 1924 – February 9, 1924 (acting)
Albert C. FachFebruary 9, 1924 – December 31, 1925 (interim)
January 1, 1926 – December 31, 1931		Democratic
  • appointed by Governor Al Smith for the remainder of the year[46]
  • elected to the remainder of Maloy’s term[47]
  • elected to two three-year terms[48] [49]
Thomas J. Walsh[50] January 1, 1932 – December 30, 1936Democratic
  • elected to two three-year terms[51] [52]
  • resigned to accept the seat as a municipal court judge to which he had been elected in November[53]
?December 31, 1936 – January 6, 1937 (acting)
Frank H. Innes[54] January 7, 1937 – December 31, 1937 (interim)
January 1, 1938 – December 31, 1941		Democratic
Farrell M. KaneJanuary 1, 1942 – August 4, 1947Democratic
  • elected to a four-year term, then to a four-year term[58] [59]
  • resigned to accept a nomination to in the primary election for City Court Judge[60]
Herman Methfessel[61] August 4, 1947 – August 13, 1947 (acting)Democratic
  • became acting district attorney upon Kane’s resignation
Robert E. JohnsonAugust 13, 1947 – December 31, 1947 (interim) Republican
  • appointed by Governor Dewey to serve the remainder of the year[62]
  • lost election to Methfessel[63]
Herman MethfesselJanuary 1, 1948 – December 31, 1951Democratic
  • elected to a four-year term
  • lost election to Simonson[64] [65]
January 1, 1952 – December 31, 1955Republican-Liberal
  • elected to a four-year term over Methfessel
  • lost election to Braisted[66]
John M. Braisted Jr.[67] January 1, 1956 – December 31, 1975 Democratic-Liberal
Thomas R. SullivanJanuary 1, 1976 – November 1982Democratic-Conservative
  • elected to two three-year term[73] [74]
  • resigned to run for a seat as a New York Supreme Court justice[75]
William L. MurphyNovember 1982 – March 1983 (acting)
March 1983 – December 31, 1983 (interim)
January 1, 1984 – December 31, 2003		Democratic-Conservative
  • became acting district attorney upon Sullivan’s resignation
  • appointed by Governor Mario M. Cuomo for the remainder of Sullivan’s term[76]
  • elected to five four-year terms[77] [78] [79] [80]
  • retired, did not run for re-election[81]
Daniel M. Donovan, Jr.January 1, 2004 – May 12, 2015Republican
  • elected to three four-year terms[82] [83]
  • resigned after winning a special election for an open congressional seat[84]
Daniel L. Master, Jr.May 12, 2015 – December 31, 2015 (acting)Republican
  • became acting district attorney after Donovan’s resignation[85] [86]
Michael McMahonJanuary 1, 2016 – currentDemocratic
  • elected to two four-year terms[87] [88]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Werner. Edgar A.. Civil List and Constitutional History of the Colony and State of New York. 1891. Weed, Parsons, and Company. Albany, N.Y.. 553–563. 22 October 2016.
  2. Book: Chester. Alden. Legal and Judicial History of New York, Volume 3. 1911. National Americana Society. New York, N.Y.. 85. 16 November 2016.
  3. https://books.google.com/books?id=E3sFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA866 The New York Civil List
  4. Book: Civil List and Forms of Government of the Colony and State of New York: Containing Notes on the Various Governmental Organizations; List of the Principal Colonial, State and County Officers, and the Congressional Delegations and Presidential Electors, with the Votes of the Electoral Colleges and the Whole, Arranged in Constitutional Periods. 1867. Weed, Parsons and Company. Albany, N.Y.. 202–203, 361, and 532. 14 December 2016.
  5. https://books.google.com/books?id=07IF9RMUR2IC&pg=PA964 Courts and Lawyers of New York: A History, 1609 -1925
  6. News: 21 More Measures Are Signed by Lehman; One Extends Richmond Prosecutor's Term. The New York Times. May 18, 1937. 6 December 2016. 2.
  7. Werner (1891), p. 553.
  8. Chester (1911), p. 103.
  9. Werner (1891), p. 560.
  10. Book: Morris. Ira K.. Morris's Memorial History of Staten Island, volume 2. 1900. published by the author. Staten Island, N.Y.. 330–331. 11 December 2016.
  11. Morris (1900), p. 331.
  12. News: Died. 17 December 2016. The New York Times. April 10, 1886. 5.
  13. News: Obituary — Lot C. Clark. 17 December 2016. The New York Times. February 12, 1880. 2.
  14. Werner (1891), p. 560.
  15. Werner (1891), p. 560.
  16. Werner (1891), p. 560.
  17. Werner (1891), p. 560.
  18. News: State Election — The Latest Returns — Hards vs. Softs — Popular Vote — Richmond County — District Attorney. The New York Times. November 11, 1853. 6 December 2016. 8.
  19. Book: Manual for the Use of the Legislature of the State of New York for the Year 1858. 1858. Weed, Parsons, and Company. Albany, N.Y.. 358. 13 December 2016.
  20. Book: Richmond Borough Association of Women Teachers. Staten Island and Staten Islanders. 1909. Grafton Press. New York, N.Y.. 74–75. 11 December 2016.
  21. News: John Croak Dies at 82, Former Magistrate — Many State, County and City Officials Attend Funeral at Port Richmond, S.I.. 17 December 2016. The New York Times. September 3, 1930. 27.
  22. News: New-York State Returns — Dispatches From All Parts of the State — The Vote of Towns and Districts Compared With That of 1875. 11 December 2016. The New York Times. November 8, 1877. 1.
  23. Morris (1900), p. 335.
  24. News: The Vote in Richmond County. The New York Times. November 4, 1880. 6 December 2016. 8.
  25. News: Richmond County's Full Vote. The New York Times. November 7, 1883. 6 December 2016. 1.
  26. News: Richmond County Officers. The New York Times. November 7, 1883. 6 December 2016. 4.
  27. News: Richmond County Vote. The New York Times. November 3, 1886. 6 December 2016. 2.
  28. News: Richmond's Candidates — Democratic County Convention at Stapleton, S.I.. The New York Times. October 30, 1889. 6 December 2016. 8.
  29. Book: Prominent Men of Staten Island. 1893. A.V. Hubbell. New York, N.Y.. 14–15. 11 December 2016.
  30. News: Richmond Beats Its Record — The Largest Majorities for the Whole Ticket in Its History. The New York Times. November 10, 1892. 6 December 2016. 8.
  31. News: George M. Pinney, Lawyer. 17 December 2016. The New York Times. July 20, 1921. 12.
  32. News: G.M. Pinney District Attorney. The New York Times. November 6, 1895. 6 December 2016. 2.
  33. News: Obituary Notes — Edward Sidney Rawson. 17 December 2016. The New York Times. January 5, 1916. 13.
  34. Book: Brooklyn Daily Eagle Almanac — 1899. 1899. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, N.Y.. 523. 7 December 2016.
  35. Book: Brooklyn Daily Eagle Almanac — 1902. 1902. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, N.Y.. 543. 11 December 2016.
  36. Morris (1900), p. 339.
  37. News: Ex-District Attorney John J. Kenney. 17 December 2016. The New York Times. August 16, 1912. 9.
  38. Book: Manual for the Use of the Legislature of the State of New York — 1907. 1907. J.B. Lyon. Albany, N.Y.. 643. 13 December 2016.
  39. News: Tammany Wins; M'Carren Loses — Foley Elected Sheriff of New York County by 27,223 Over Ihmsen — Fusion Ticket Beaten — The Republicans Have Carried Kings with the Loss of Two Candidates — Clarke District Attorney — Ran Far Ahead of His Ticket and Is Elected by 18,315 — Whitman Beaten Here — Gerard Wins a Supreme Court Justiceship — Murphy Calls Result "Most Gratifying". 26 November 2016. The New York Times. November 6, 1907. 1.
  40. News: Nothing to Say, Says Ward — But the Westchester Leader Points Out That Entire County Ticket Won — Fach District Attorney of Richmond. The New York Times. November 9, 1910. 6 December 2016. 5.
  41. News: Nassau Co. Republican — Treasurer the Only Office Captured by Democrats — Fach Re-Elected in Richmond. The New York Times. November 5, 1913. 6 December 2016. 1.
  42. News: To Fight Regulars in Party Primaries — Democratic Insurgents Will Bring Out Numerous Contests Throughout the City — Few Republican Fights — Kings County Races Arouse Interest — Complete List of Candidates in the Field. The New York Times. August 10, 1919. 6 December 2016. E2.
  43. News: Justice J.H. Maloy Dies in Hospital — Special Sessions Jurist and Ex-District Attorney of Richmond — Succumbs at 35 Years — Prominent in Civic Life — He Was One of the Youngest Justices to Sit on the Bench of Special Sessions. The New York Times. September 7, 1924. 6 December 2016. 31.
  44. News: Elected in the City. The New York Times. November 5, 1919. 6 December 2016. 1.
  45. News: Smith Carries in Whole City Ticket — His Plurality in Town 464,525, and All Democratic Candidates Elected With Him — Tammany Gets Surrogate — Cohalan Beaten — Big Changes in the Delegations to Congress and Legislature. The New York Times. November 8, 1922. 6 December 2016. 1.
  46. News: Albert Fach Takes Office — Judge Tiernan Administers Oath to New District Attorney. The New York Times. February 10, 1924. 6 December 2016. 4.
  47. News: Coolidge Wins, 357 to Davis's 136; La Follette Carries Wisconsin; Smith Beats Roosevelt by 140,000 — Coolidge and Smith Carry This City — The President's Plurality About 130,000 and the Governor's About 500,000 — La Follette Vote 250,000 — Coolidge Wins in Every Borough — Democrats Elect All Local Officers. The New York Times. November 5, 1924. 6 December 2016. 1–2.
  48. News: Supreme Court Justices, District Attorneys, City Court Justice, Kings Surrogate — Officials Elected. The New York Times. November 4, 1925. 6 December 2016. 3.
  49. News: Hoover Carries Illinois, Sweeping in the State — Smith Wins in Chicago But His Republican Rival Gets Big Down-State Vote — Iowa Strong for Hoover — Nebraska Puts Republican in Lead and His Victory Seems Certain —Michigan Also Republican —Hoover Sweeps Ohio by a Big Majority Entire State Ticket Elected. The New York Times. November 7, 1928. 6 December 2016. 3.
  50. News: Judge T.J. Walsh, 63, of Richmond County. 17 December 2016. The New York Times. October 10, 1955. 27.
  51. News: Smith is Silent on Forestry Vote — But Friends Note That Majority for the Amendment Was Not Overwhelming — Emphasize Macy Backing — Roosevelt, Apparently Elated Over Outcome of Clash With Predecessor, Also Declines to Comment. The New York Times. November 5, 1931. 6 December 2016. 4.
  52. News: Elected Tables Showing the Results of the Election in New York City and State. The New York Times. November 7, 1934. 6 December 2016. 6.
  53. News: T.J. Walsh Sworn In as Municipal Justice — Retires as Richmond District Attorney to Preside in Second District Court. The New York Times. December 31, 1936. 6 December 2016. 15.
  54. News: Frank Innes Dies; Legal Leader, 79 — Dean of Richmond County Bar, Ex-Prosecutor, Headed Loan Group for 34 Terms. 17 December 2016. The New York Times. April 8, 1947. 27.
  55. News: F.H. Innes is Named to Richmond Post — Dean of County Bar, a Former Assistant District Attorney, Becomes Prosecutor. The New York Times. January 2, 1937. 6 December 2016. 4.
  56. News: F.H. Innes Takes Office — New Staten Island District Attorney Sworn After Three Delays. The New York Times. January 8, 1937. 6 December 2016. 21.
  57. News: Republicans Gain in State; $40,000,000 Bond Issue Wins; Council Count Bogs Down — Blow to Machines — Revolt in Tammany Is Likely — Flynn, Kelly Make Poor Showing — Four Years for Governor — Term of the Assembly Also is Lengthened — Republicans Rule Convention. The New York Times. November 4, 1937. 6 December 2016. 1.
  58. News: Hecht and Null Named to Bench — Supreme Court Candidates of Fusion Win in the First Judicial District — Kleinfeld is Far Ahead — Judge Donnellan Re-elected — Other Results in Vote for the Judiciary. The New York Times. November 5, 1941. 6 December 2016. 17.
  59. News: Officials Elected. The New York Times. November 7, 1945. 6 December 2016. 4.
  60. News: Prosecutor Resigns — Dewey Will Appoint Successor to Kane in Richmond. The New York Times. August 5, 1947. 6 December 2016. 2.
  61. News: Herman Methfessel, 62, Dead; Ex-Richmond District Attorney. 17 December 2016. The New York Times. July 9, 1963. 31.
  62. News: R.E. Johnson Named as Successor to Kane. Associated Press. The New York Times. August 14, 1947. 6 December 2016. 3.
  63. News: Hagerty. James A.. Minor Parties Lose — Law Condemned by Foes as Aid to Communists in Council is Killed — Rabin Defeats Lumbard — Democratic-Liberal Choice for the Bench Wins — Rains Retard Balloting. 26 November 2016. The New York Times. November 5, 1947. 1.
  64. News: Conklin. William R.. Methfessel Loses; Queens Picks Lundy — Simonson Wins in Richmond Landslide — Quinn Defeats Herz by 311 Votes. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. November 7, 1951. 1.
  65. News: Final Results of Voting in the City — Vote for Council President — City Summary — Queens Borough President — Queens District Attorney — Richmond District Attorney — Constitutional Amendments — State Assembly. The New York Times. November 8, 1951. 6 December 2016. 24.
  66. News: Egan. Leo. Democrats in City Sweep; Highways and Dam Beaten; Jersey G.O.P. Margin is Cut — O'Connor Winner — Takes Queens Contest — Republicans Retain Suburban Power. The New York Times. November 9, 1955. 6 December 2016. 1.
  67. News: Pace. Eric. John Braisted Jr., 90, Lawyer And Staten Island Prosecutor. 17 December 2016. The New York Times. December 17, 1997.
  68. News: Hailey. Foster. Dollinger Victor in Bronx Contest — Democrat Gets Big Vote for Prosecutor — Braisted Wins in Richmond. The New York Times. November 4, 1959. 6 December 2016. 19.
  69. News: Hunt. Richard P.. Vote Light Here — Cariello, O'Connor and Dollinger Elected — Amendments Pass — Off-Track Vote — City Summary. The New York Times. November 6, 1963. 6 December 2016. 1.
  70. News: Ronan. Thomas P.. Re-Election Won by 3 Prosecutors — Dollinger, Mackell, Braisted Score Easy Victories. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. November 8, 1967. 31.
  71. News: Perlmutter. Emanuel. Staten Island District Attorney Retiring Dec. 31. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. April 3, 1975. 33.
  72. News: Carroll. Maurice. Women's Rights and City Charter Dominate Ballot — Campaigning at Last Minute Aims at State Amendment and Change in Rule Here — Election is Tomorrow — Jersey Assembly Is at Stake Connecticut Will Vote in Town and City Races. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. November 3, 1975. 1.
  73. News: Results of Voting in the City and Suburbs — District Attorneys. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. November 6, 1975. 33.
  74. News: Results of Tuesday's Voting in New York City and Metropolitan Area Contests — Judicial and Other New York City Races. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. November 8, 1979. 32.
  75. News: New York Supreme Court. 18 December 2016. The New York Times. November 4, 1983.
  76. News: Fahim. Kareem. William L. Murphy, Ex-Prosecutor on Staten Island, Dies at 65. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. June 14, 2010. A21.
  77. News: Vote Totals for the Elections in the New York Area and New Jersey — New York — Staten Island District Attorney. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. November 10, 1983.
  78. News: Lynn. Frank. Democrats Capture Top Posts In Suffolk, Erie and Monroe — Sweep All 44 Races in New York CIty, But Lose in Nassau. The New York Times. November 4, 1983. 4.
  79. News: Fisher. Ian. Election 1995: The Overview — Molinari Loses Race for District Attorney on Staten Island. 27 November 2016. The New York Times.
  80. News: Herszenhorn. David M.. The 1999 Elections: District Attorneys — 3 Democratic Incumbents Handily Rebuff Challengers. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. November 3, 1999.
  81. News: Krug. Nora. The 2003 Election — Donovan to Be Staten Island Prosecutor. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. November 7, 2007.
  82. News: Hicks. Jonathan P.. Staten Island District Attorney Is Re-elected in One of City's Few Contested Races. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. November 7, 2007.
  83. News: Kaplan. Bellone, a Democrat, Elected Suffolk Executive. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. November 9, 2011. A29.
  84. Web site: Dan Donovan Takes Oath of Office in Congress. silive.com. Staten Island Advance. 8 December 2016.
  85. Web site: Chief ADA Daniel L. Master, Jr. Sworn In As Acting District Attorney. Office of the District Attorney of Richmond County. May 12, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093838/http://rcda.nyc.gov/pdf/press/2015/pr05122015.pdf. May 18, 2015.
  86. News: Stack. Liam. 12 Held as Police Break Up Staten Island Heroin Ring. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. June 12, 2015. A25.
  87. News: Burns. Alexander. Michael McMahon, Ex-Congressman, Is Elected Staten Island District Attorney. 27 November 2016. The New York Times. November 4, 2015. A26.
  88. News: 2019 New York General Election Results . 5 January 2022 . The New York Times . November 14, 2019.

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