Office Divisions And Services
The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office represents the largest county in New England, with more than 1.4 million residents.
There are 12 District Courts and 2 Superior Courts in the County, and the DA’s office has individual teams of attorneys and victim witness advocates assigned to each court. To learn which district court covers your community, and get office contact information for that court, please click here.
The office also has individual bureaus, units and divisions with particular specialties and functions. Those divisions, with individual contact information, are as follows:
District Court Prosecution/School Safety, Prevention, and Intervention
Contact: Director Patricia Gould (781-897-8320)
The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office has extensive programs designed to reduce crime by working to intervene and prevent crime before it occurs. As part of those efforts, each district court assistant district attorney has been assigned to individual communities - handling cases, working on community-based intervention and prevention initiatives, and participating in the CBJ programs. This approach maintains and develops consistency of case assignments, gives prosecutors a stronger commitment and knowledge of the community they serve, and also provides those cities and towns with a consistent voice and contact with our office.
Community Based Justice and Community Programs
Contact: Community Program Coordinator Robyn Pontremoli (781-897-8815)
During a wave of gang and school-based violence in the early 1990s, then-District Attorney Thomas F. Reilly established the Community-Based Justice program, bringing together school personnel, public safety professionals, and social service providers in each community to help identify at-risk kids and provide them with the positive alternatives to steer them away from crime and violence. The program was directed by then-ADA Gerry Leone. CBJ became a national model for violence prevention in our schools, and the programs exist to this day in communities throughout the entire Commonwealth, now being mandated by the legislature. The CBJ program exists in every Middlesex community.
Victim Witness Services Bureau
Contact: Chief Patrice Provitola (781-897-8490)
Victims and their families in cases of homicides and other crimes are entitled by law to services to help assist them through the legal process. Those services are detailed in the victim’s bill of rights. Our victim witness advocates are dedicated to serving victims and their families, informing them of their rights, being their contact with the office, and helping them navigate through the legal system.
Child Abuse Unit
Contact: ADA and Chief Katharine Folger (781-897-8410)
As part of the office’s Family Protection Unit, the child abuse division is a team of prosecutors, victim witness advocates, child interview specialists, and Massachusetts State Police dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of the sexual and physically abused when they were under the age of 16.
As an accredited Children’s Advocacy Center, the Child Abuse Division is committed to handling cases with a multi-disciplinary team approach to streamline investigations and prevent further trauma to victims of child abuse. The staff members coordinate with the Department of Social Services and local police at the outset of investigations to minimize the number of investigative interviews and court appearances for child victims.
Domestic Violence Abuse Unit
Contact: ADA and Chief Suzanne Kontz (781-897-8460)
As part of the office’s Family Protection Bureau, the DVAU is a unit that specializes in the investigation and prosecution of domestic violence. The unit is compromised of both prosecutors and a victim witness advocate who are dedicated to both prosecute cases involving domestic violence, as well as assist victims with the process and domestic violence-related services.
Elder/Disabled Abuse Unit
Contact: ADA and Chief Marian Ryan (781-897-8450)
As part of the office’s Family Protection Unit, the elder and disabled abuse division is a team of prosecutors and a victim witness advocate who are dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of instances of elder abuse against people over 65 as well as against the disabled. Citizens who wish to report cases of elder or disabled abuse can do so by contacting the division on a confidential basis.
PACT Unit (Public Prosecution, Anti-Terrorism, Corruption, and Technology)
Contact: ADA and Chief John Verner (781-897-6710)
The PACT Unit is a dedicated team of ADAs, Massachusetts State Police, and civilian investigative specialists who are dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of high level narcotics, organized crime, public integrity, terrorism, corruption, and cyber crime.
Appeals and Training Bureau
Contact: ADA and Chief Jim Sahakian (781-897-6868)/ADA and Deputy Chief Loretta Lillios (781-897-6833)
Defendants have a right to make numerous appeals to the Massachusetts Appellate Courts for review of the procedures or interpretations of law by a trial judge. Some cases are appealed directly to the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC). These appeals are not new trials. No witnesses testify and no new evidence is presented. Only issues of law are reviewed at this level. Our appeals bureau is responsible for handling all appeals efforts of defendants throughout the legal process. There is also a victim witness advocate designated to assist victims during the appellate process. The Bureau also coordinates, presents and implements various internal and external legal training programs, provides guidances on all ethics matters, and helps implement matters of legislation.
Open Meeting Division (within the Appeals and Training Bureau)
Contact: ADA Robert Bender (781-897-6829)
The Massachusetts Open Meeting Laws apply to governmental entities at the state, county and local levels. In general these laws require that meetings of such entities be open to the public, that notice of such meetings be publicly posted and that accurate records of the meeting be maintained and also available to the public. The District Attorney is responsible for enforcing the Open Meeting Law in the cities and towns within the District. Middlesex District Attorney is now responsible for enforcing the Open Meeting Law at the city and town levels only. To review the state open meeting laws, please click here.
Policy and Legislative Matters
Contact: ADA and General Counsel Chris Doherty (781-897-8323)
The office has an active approach to legislative matters focused on better serving the people of our county and state by constantly looking to strengthen the laws that protect them. The General Counsel represents the office by frequently partnering with legislators to draft and pass laws on issues such as child protection, domestic violence, and other issues of public safety.
Public Communications Bureau
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia (781-897-8325)
The communications bureau is responsible for overseeing all public communication from the office, including: responding to media requests, writing and distributing press releases, and keeping the public informed of office initiatives and activities. All media inquiries should be directed through Corey Welford or Jessica Venezia.