Units
The Dutchess County District Attorney's Office is comprised of several specialized units responsible for prosecuting crimes across the towns, villages, and cities of Dutchess County. Prosecutors are assigned to these units based on their expertise and experience, ensuring the effective and fair pursuit of justice for our community.
Kirsten Rappleyea, Unit Chief of the Appeals, Post Conviction Motions, and FOIL Unit
The Appeals Unit manages all post-conviction litigation at both the state and federal levels and serves as the legal research and support hub for the Office’s Assistant District Attorneys. Staffed by experienced appellate attorneys, this unit advises trial teams by identifying key legal issues while advocating for the Office at the appellate level, defending trial convictions in the Appellate Division, Second Department. The Appeals Unit also manages all requests submitted to the District Attorney’s Office under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), ensuring all FOIL requests are processed expeditiously. The office consistently supplies FOIL applicants with thousands of pages of documents.
Frank Petramale, Unit Chief of the Conviction Integrity and Analytics Unit
The Conviction Integrity and Analytics Unit is responsible for identifying and addressing potential miscarriages of justice through the thorough review and investigation of claims involving legal innocence, actual innocence, or other exceptional circumstances. The Unit prioritizes transparency, accountability, and the fair administration of justice while also overseeing the review and analysis of prosecutorial and case-related data to improve efficiency, consistency, transparency, and overall performance across the Office. By combining conviction integrity efforts with data-driven analysis and operational review, the Unit works to strengthen prosecutorial practices, enhance office operations, and uphold confidence in the criminal justice system.
Pamela Bloomfield, Unit Chief of the Dangerous Drugs and Financial Crimes Unit
The Dangerous Drugs and Financial Crimes Unit is responsible for the prosecution of serious drug-related offenses, with a particular focus on cases involving fentanyl, heroin, and other dangerous substances that contribute to overdose deaths and violent criminal activity within Dutchess County. The Unit also handles the prosecution of complex financial crimes, including matters involving labor law violations and Department of Social Services fraud. Staffed by experienced prosecutors, the Unit works closely with the District Attorney's Office Drug Task Force and other law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute individuals engaged in narcotics trafficking, financial exploitation, and related criminal conduct.
Sinead McLoughlin, Director of Grants, Communications, and Community Engagement
The Communications, Community Engagement, and Grant Initiatives Unit acts as the primary connection between the District Attorney’s Office and the community, keeping Dutchess County informed about active criminal cases and DA sponsored events. This unit also manages all grant applications submitted on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office, ensuring access to resources to support the Office’s dedication to community safety and victim support.
Brittney Kessel, Unit Chief of the Justice Courts Unit
The Justice Courts Unit prosecutes Penal Law offenses and Vehicle and Traffic Law crimes throughout Dutchess County’s many city, town and village courts. The Unit’s prosecutors handle the highest volume of cases for the District Attorney’s Office, ranging from quality-of-life crimes to cases involving high-value thefts at the hands of serial offenders. Justice Courts Unit prosecutors focus on advocating for crime victims and furthering the District Attorney’s commitment to equal justice ideals through plea negotiations and, when necessary, by litigating cases through to trial. These prosecutors also assist the District Attorney’s law enforcement partners by conducting legal research and preparing warrants to secure evidence.
David Kunca, Unit Chief of the Major Crimes Unit
The Major Crimes Unit is responsible for prosecuting the most serious felony offenses committed in Dutchess County, including violent assaults, robberies, burglaries, weapons offenses, and gang-related violence. Focused on complex and high-risk criminal matters, the Unit handles cases that pose the greatest threat to public safety and quality of life within the community. Comprised of experienced prosecutors, the Unit works closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate, prepare, and prosecute these significant cases from inception through trial.
Griffin Kenyon, Unit Chief of the Smart Prosecutions, Strategic Intelligence, and Violence Elimination Unit
The Smart Prosecutions, Strategic Initiatives, and Violence Elimination Unit is dedicated to making Dutchess County safer through smarter, more strategic prosecution. The Unit combines data analysis, interagency collaboration, and intelligence-driven investigation to identify the root drivers of violent crime and build the evidence needed to hold offenders accountable. In partnership with the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, this Unit connects prosecutors, investigators, and law enforcement partners, integrating violence reduction efforts, improving information sharing, and supporting complex prosecutions involving violent and firearm-related offenses. The result is a more proactive, coordinated approach to public safety here in Dutchess County.
Angela Lopane, Unit Chief of the Special Victims Unit
The Special Victims Unit is dedicated to cases involving our community’s most vulnerable victims, including survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse. This unit is comprised of specially trained prosecutors and victim outreach professionals who are experienced in managing these sensitive and complex cases. Along with prosecuting all domestic and sexual violence cases in Dutchess County, the unit’s attorneys actively participate in various committees and collaborative initiatives designed to support victims and prevent future incidents of domestic and sexual violence.
Jen Fluck, Unit Chief of the Vehicular Crimes and Training Units
- Vehicular Crimes Unit
The Vehicular Crimes Unit is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of all felony-level offenses involving the use of motor vehicles. These cases typically involve collisions resulting in death or serious injury, hit-and-run incidents, or instances of aggravated driving while intoxicated or while ability impaired by drugs. The Unit’s specialized prosecutors also are assigned to local justice courts with disproportionately high volumes of general impaired driving offenses.
- Litigation Training
The Litigation Training Unit is responsible for developing and delivering training programs that enhance the trial skills, legal knowledge, and courtroom effectiveness of prosecutors at all levels. This unit designs workshops, mock trials, and continuing legal education sessions focused on topics such as case preparation, evidentiary issues, ethical responsibilities, and evolving legal standards. By mentoring new attorneys and providing ongoing support to experienced prosecutors, the unit ensures consistent, high-quality advocacy and promotes professional growth throughout our office.