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.

Sinead McLoughlin, Director of the Communications, Community Engagement and Grant Initiatives Unit

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.

Frank Petramale, Unit Chief of the Conviction Integrity Unit

The Conviction Integrity Unit works to identify and rectify any potential miscarriages of justice, prioritizing transparency and accountability through the thorough investigations of claims that articulate legal innocence, actual innocence, or an exceptional circumstance. Additionally, this unit oversees initiatives aimed at promoting the fairness and accuracy of prior convictions.

Kirsten Rappleyea, Unit Chief of the Appeals Units

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.

Andrea Long, Unit Chief of the Violent Crimes and Dangerous Drugs Unit

Dave Kunca, Unit Chief of the Violent Crimes and Dangerous Drugs Unit

The Violent Crimes and Dangerous Drugs Unit is tasked with prosecuting major felony offenses, including homicides, assaults, armed robberies, and gang-related violence. Staffed by experienced prosecutors, this unit is dedicated to removing the most dangerous offenders from the community and ensuring they are held accountable. This unit also handles the prosecution of serious drug-related crimes, focusing on cases involving fentanyl, heroin, and other deadly substances that contribute to overdose fatalities and drive violent crime.

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.

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.

Jeff Wright, Chief Investigator

The Investigations Unit provides dedicated support to the attorneys in the office throughout a criminal prosecution. This unit plays a crucial role in gathering evidence, trial assistance, coordinating witnesses, serving subpoenas, and conducting in-depth case analysis. This team, consisting of both investigators and crime analysts, works closely with law enforcement and provides essential support to the office during all stages of criminal cases.

Mike Viviano, Deputy Unit Chief of the Financial Crimes, Hate Crimes and Police/Jail/Prison Assault Initiative Units

Financial Crimes Unit:

The Financial Crimes Unit investigates and prosecutes complex cases involving white-collar offenses such as fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, insurance fraud, and public corruption. Prosecutors in this unit work closely with financial analysts, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies to uncover and present evidence of criminal conduct involving financial deception or abuse. This unit reviews voluminous records, building cases that require a deep understanding of financial systems and laws.

Hate Crimes Unit:

The Hate Crimes Unit focuses on prosecuting crimes that are motivated by bias against a victim’s race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. These cases require careful investigation to determine intent and to ensure they meet the legal standards for hate crime enhancements. The unit works closely with communities, places of worship, and advocacy groups to build trust, raise awareness, and ensure justice for victims targeted because of who they are.

Police/Jail/Prison Assault Unit:

The Police/Jail/Prison Assault Unit handles cases involving assaults on law enforcement officers, correctional staff, and inmates within custodial settings. This unit prosecutes crimes that occur during arrests, in jails, and in prisons, often dealing with issues of institutional safety and accountability. Prosecutors work with internal affairs divisions, correctional agencies, and medical personnel to investigate incidents and ensure that both staff and incarcerated individuals are protected under the law.