Press Releases
D.A. Vance: Puerto Rico to Test 1,500 Backlogged Rape Kits Using Surplus From D.A.’s National Rape Kit Backlog Testing Program 
“Untested rape kits cannot and will not sit on shelves collecting dust during the coronavirus pandemic,” said District Attorney Vance. “We owe survivors of sexual assault so much more than to be forgotten for any reason. This investment makes it possible for Puerto Rico to start testing nearly 1,500 backlogged kits today, and begin the crucial path toward securing justice for survivors.
Statement from D.A. Vance, D.A. Clark, D.A. Gonzalez, and D.A. Katz Regarding Chokeholds and Other Restraining Techniques
As we have seen recently with the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and six years ago right here in New York City with the death of Eric Garner, the use of chokeholds and other holds or restraining techniques that can cut off the supply of oxygen to a person’s brain have an unacceptably high risk of death. The NYPD has long recognized the danger of chokeholds, and banned its use nearly three decades ago.
D.A. Vance Declines to Prosecute Protest Arrests
“The prosecution of protestors charged with these low-level offenses undermines critical bonds between law enforcement and the communities we serve. Days after the killing of George Floyd, our nation and our city are at a crossroads in our continuing endeavor to confront racism and systemic injustice wherever it exists. Our office has a moral imperative to enact public policies which assure all New Yorkers that in our justice system and our society, black lives matter and police violence is a crime. We commend the thousands of our fellow New Yorkers who have peacefully assembled to demand these achievable aims, and our door is open to any New Yorker who wishes to be heard."
TellFinder Alliance Automates Identification of Child Sexual Abuse Material
TellFinder Alliance, in response to the increased presence of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) appearing in online commercial sex advertisements, has created new tools for TellFinder users to identify and report these images to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) CyberTipline in seconds.
In New York Times Op-Ed, D.A. Vance Condemns Exclusion of Formerly Incarcerated Americans From Paycheck Protection Program
In order to “enable vital investments in neighborhoods where such businesses are located,” prevent recidivism, and “advance both public safety and justice in our society . . . we must call upon Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to make COVID-19 small business funds available to formerly incarcerated Americans.”
Statement by Manhattan D.A. Cyrus Vance, Jr.
"Black lives matter and the use of excessive force by police in this country must end. These aims are not only achievable; they are fundamental to a fair and just society, and we commend the thousands of our fellow New Yorkers who have peacefully assembled to demand this achievable reality now."
@ManhattanDA
D.A. Vance: "Untested rape kits cannot and will not sit on shelves collecting dust during the coronavirus pandemic." #TestEveryKit https://t.co/IpA5Ew2XTk
Join us virtually tonight at 7pm for the annual New York Crime Victims Vigil. For details on how to join ⏬ https://t.co/4oril2L7tQ
"New York State incarcerates more people for technical parole violations than every state except Illinois, costing taxpayers more than $600 million last year.”
It's time to overhaul our parole system and pass #LessIsMoreNY. https://t.co/Ft4vEe92xk
Manhattan District Attorney's Office