Serving the People of Essex County
The Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker ensures public safety for the people of the 34 cities and towns in Essex County, Mass. in several ways, as outlined below.
Criminal Prosecution
With a primary mission of keeping Essex County residents safe, the District Attorney’s office prosecutes criminal offenses in our communities in both Essex County Superior Court and in District Court locations throughout the county. The Office of the Essex County District Attorney is staffed with exceptional professional attorneys who specialize in handling cases ranging from child physical and/or sexual abuse to domestic violence and motor vehicle homicide, among others. The message to criminals is clear: if you plan to commit a crime in Essex County, do not plan to get away with it.
Unattended Death Investigation
The Office of the Essex County District Attorney is required by law to investigate all unattended deaths in the county, from homicides and fatal motor vehicle accidents to suspected drownings and suicides. We do so via the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit that is assigned to our office, and by working collaboratively with local police departments throughout Essex County, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and other relevant agencies, sharing information, resources, and support in furtherance of our mutual public safety goal.
Victim and Witness Services
The Office of the Essex County District Attorney employs several victim/witness advocates – at least one in each courtroom in the county – to help those who have been impacted by crime. These advocates help victims of and witnesses to crime navigate the criminal justice system, providing information, support, and referrals. The office also strives to make victims and witnesses aware of their rights and more knowledgeable of how legal proceedings work. Our extraordinary team of advocates assists in many ways during what is often the most challenging time in a person’s life.
Juvenile Justice & Diversion Services
Recognizing that incarceration may not be the most useful outcome for some youth offenders, the Office of the Essex County District Attorney provides several juvenile justice services: juvenile diversion, which provides certain first-time non-violent offenders with services rather than prosecution; drug diversion, which recognizes the value of helping non-violent offenders with substance abuse issues; and preventative programming that embraces the importance of engaging young people in positive community initiatives and activities.