New York County District Attorney's Office

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Main Office
One Hogan Place
New York, NY 10013
212-335-9000
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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the criminal justice system in New York work?
How do I report a crime?
What services are available to me if I am the victim of a crime?
How do I report a crime involving fraudulent activity?
What is child abuse and what do I do if I am the victim or know that someone else that is the victim of child abuse?
What do I do if I am the victim of domestic violence?
What can the New York County District Attorney’s office do for my community?
What is the Fair Chance Initiative?
How do I protect myself from identity theft?
How do I protect my children from internet predators?
How are sexual assault cases handled by the New York County District Attorney’s Office?
What efforts are made to prevent drug dealing in New York City buildings?
What does your office do to prosecute crimes designed to take advantage of immigrants?
What is the Elder Abuse program and how can I protect myself or a loved one from elder abuse?
How do I find out about the status of a defendant’s case?

How does the criminal justice system in New York work?

The New York County District Attorney’s Office is responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes in the borough of Manhattan. The following brochure is a guide and legal glossary designed to explain the criminal justice process in New York County.

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How do I report a crime?

In an emergency situation or if you are in danger, please call 911 for assistance. If you have observed a crime that does not require immediate assistance, you can report your observations to your local precinct.

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What services are available to me if I am the victim of a crime?

Many victims sustain physical or emotional injury or fear that they are in danger as a result of the crime committed against them. The New York County District Attorney’s Office Witness Aid Services Unit provides a variety of court-related services, social services, and counseling services designed to meet the needs of crime victims, witnesses and their families. For more information, please open the link to our services brochure.

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How do I report a crime involving fraudulent activity?

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a crime involving embezzlement, insurance fraud, arson, unauthorized practice of law, thefts committed by attorneys and other professionals, bank fraud, real estate and housing fraud and other schemes to defraud, please contact the Special Prosecutions Bureau Complaint Hotline: (212) 335-8900.

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What is child abuse and what do I do if I am the victim or know that someone else that is the victim of child abuse?

Every year in the United States, nearly a million children are the victim of child abuse, with many of them resulting in a fatality. Child abuse can involve physical, sexual, and emotional abuse as well as parental neglect. Child abuse affects the children victims, as well as their families and the community as a whole. The following brochure provides information about the services available through the New York County District Attorney’s Office Family and Child Abuse Bureau to report, prosecute and prevent child abuse.

What do I do if I am the victim of domestic violence?

Every year, six million people are victims of domestic violence. The abuser may be your husband, wife, domestic partner, parent, child or any other household member. The attached brochure may be useful in helping you decide what to do if you are the victim or know of a victim of domestic violence.

What can the New York County District Attorney’s office do for my community?

The New York County District Attorney’s Office Community Affairs Unit is located at the District Attorney’s main office in downtown Manhattan, as well as in Northern Manhattan on 125th Street in Harlem. The Community Affairs staff’s mission is to assist communities all over Manhattan by bringing information from citizens to the District Attorney’s Office to facilitate the most effective crime prevention solutions. This brochure provides you with additional information about how the Community Affairs Office can help you in your community.

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What is the Fair Chance Initiative?

In an efforts to reduce criminal recidivism, the Fair Chance Initiative aims to increase public safety by ensuring that inmates that are released from jail receive the social services they need to help them adjust to life outside of prison and to become productive members of society. This brochure details some of the services available to inmates aimed at breaking the cycle of recidivism.

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How do I protect myself from identity theft?

Identity theft has become one of the nation’s fastest growing crimes. Criminals have learned ways of obtaining your private information to fraudulently use it for financial gain or other illicit reasons. This brochure provides you with suggestions on how to protect yourself and your family from becoming victims of identity theft and what to do if you suspect that you are the victim of identity theft.

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How do I protect my children from internet predators?

With a computer being accessible to almost every child at a very young age, the internet has become one of the easiest ways to find and exploit children. To learn more about what you can do to protect your children from predators on the internet, please read this brochure.

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How are sexual assault cases handled by the New York County District Attorney’s Office?

The attached brochure describes how sexual assault cases are handled by the District Attorney’s office. It will provide you with information on what to do if you are the victim of a sexual assault and what to expect after you report the crime.

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What efforts are made to prevent drug dealing in New York City buildings?

Residents commonly complain about drug dealing or unusual traffic in their buildings by unknown individuals which may lead them to believe that someone in their building is dealing drugs. Through our Trespass Affidavit and Narcotics Eviction Program, the New York County District Attorney’s office provides legal support, law enforcement oversight and other services for buildings victimized by criminal trespassers and unlawful residents. This brochure provides further details about the types of services provided by our office.

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What does your office do to prosecute crimes designed to take advantage of immigrants?

The Immigrant Affairs Program was created to aid and encourage both documented and undocumented immigrant victims and witnesses who may fear cooperating with law enforcement because of their immigration status. To report a crime perpetrated against you because of your immigration status, please contact the Immigrant Affairs Program Hotline at (212) 335-3600.

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What is the Elder Abuse program and how can I protect myself or a loved one from elder abuse?

I am a senior citizen who is the victim of crime. How do I report this crime? If have been physically abused or are in danger, call 911 immediately. The Elder Abuse Program addresses the needs and concerns of older crime victims who live in Manhattan. If you are a senior citizen who has been the victim of a crime, or if you know a senior citizen who has been victimized, please contact the Elder Abuse Program’s Hotline at (212) 335-8922.

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How do I find out about the status of a defendant’s case?

WebCrims is a free case information service provided by the New York State Unified Court System. WebCrims provides online access to criminal cases with future appearance dates in all criminal courts in New York City. You may search for cases by Case Number or Party Name and produce calendars by County and Part or Judge.

If you are an attorney, you may register for a WebCrims User ID and password. All others may log in as a guest to access the service. *

Access WebCrims