Sandra Doorley Explained

Sandra Doorley is the District Attorney of Monroe County, New York. She took office in January 2012, succeeding Michael Charles Green. Doorley is the first woman to serve as Monroe County District Attorney. Originally elected as a Democrat, she became a Republican in 2015.

Education

Doorley obtained a bachelor's degree from the University at Albany and received her Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University.[1]

Career

Before becoming district attorney, Doorley was a prosecutor in the Monroe County District Attorney's Office for approximately 20 years.[2]

In November 2011, Doorley was elected Monroe County District Attorney, defeating Republican candidate Bill Taylor.[3] She was sworn in on December 30, 2011 at the Rochester Girls and Boys Club. Michael Charles Green (whom she succeeded) joined Doorley's office as an advisor,[4] but departed in February 2012 for another position. She is the first woman to hold the office of District Attorney in Monroe County.[2]

In 2015, Doorley switched her party affiliation to the Republican Party. "Don't judge me by the political party that I'm affiliated with," she said. "Look at the work that I've done".[5] Doorley was re-elected in 2015,[6] 2019,[7] and 2023.[8]

2024 traffic stop incident

On April 22, 2024, Doorley was spotted by Webster Police traveling at 55 mph in a 35 mph zone. The observing officer activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Doorley did not pull over; instead, she drove home and called the Webster Chief of Police while being pursued.[9] Webster Police body cam footage shows Doorley displaying her badge, refusing to follow orders, and directing expletives at the investigating officer while repeatedly invoking her position. Doorley stated, “I am going to prosecute myself. You know what I am going to do with the ticket.” Doorley received a speeding ticket. In a statement the following day, Doorley apologized for her conduct and informed the public that she had pleaded guilty to the speeding ticket.[10] Video of the confrontation between Doorley and the officer went viral.[11]

Gov. Kathy Hochul referred Doorley to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct in the aftermath of the traffic stop incident, and the Monroe County Office of Public Integrity opened its own investigation.[12] [13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Race for DA uncommonly quiet. Gary. Craig. Democrat and Chronicle. October 26, 2015.
  2. Web site: What I know now: Sandra Doorley. Sandra. Doorley. Democrat and Chronicle. May 21, 2015.
  3. Web site: Five prosecutors let go from Monroe County DA's office. Democrat and Chronicle. November 29, 2011.
  4. Web site: Spectrum News.
  5. Web site: DA Sandra Doorley confirms switch to GOP. David. Riley. Democrat and Chronicle. January 15, 2015.
  6. Web site: Sandra Doorley wins her second DA contest. Gary. Craig. Democrat and Chronicle. November 3, 2015.
  7. Web site: Incumbent Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley handily wins third election. Gary. Craig. Democrat and Chronicle. November 5, 2019.
  8. Web site: Election Day 2023 in Monroe County. Democrat and Chronicle. November 7, 2023.
  9. Web site: Craig. Gary. Who did Sandra Doorley call during a traffic stop? The answer sends social media into frenzy . April 26, 2024. 2024-04-27 . Democrat and Chronicle . en-US.
  10. Web site: April 25, 2024 . Monroe County DA admits speeding, calling chief, driving home before stopping for police . April 27, 2024 . WHAM. Sinclair Broadcast Group . en.
  11. Web site: Sandra Doorley releases apology video in response to viral confrontation with officer. Democrat and Chronicle. April 29, 2024.
  12. Web site: Kathy Hochul slams "above the law" DA after traffic stop video released. Holliday. Eileen . April 29, 2024. Newsweek.
  13. News: Joseph. Stephannie. Monroe County Office of Public Integrity investigating DA Doorley after traffic stop. WHAM. 2024-04-30. Sinclair Broadcast Group. 2024-05-26.