Manny’s priorities for a safe and just Ulster County

Tackle violent crime to keep our communities safe

Under Manny’s leadership, the DA’s office will hold violent offenders accountable to the full extent of the law.

Safe implementation of bail reform: Manny is the only candidate running with the knowledge and experience to ensure victim safety under bail reform, and his vast experience allows him to advise the team of Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) on which crimes merit immediate prosecution and require the implementation of safety measures for victims and the public.
Increased staffing to support workload: The size of the Ulster County DA’s Office is not in keeping with the number of violent cases and obligations under the new discovery law, and Manny will seek support from the Ulster County Legislature and New York State to secure additional funds to increase the number of ADAs and/or implement a strong internship/apprenticeship program to support our ADAs.
Addressing gun violence: With the rise in gun violence across the country, Manny will continue the expedited treatment of gun possession charges and seek additional funding through the state’s GIVE initiative to support our communities in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office and County. Manny will also support gun buy-back programs in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Office.

Deliver justice with compassion for families, victims, and those struggling with addiction and mental health challenges

As DA, Manny will lead the office using a trauma-informed approach with victims, witnesses and their families, and promote treatment and rehabilitation for non-violent offenders. Manny will act with discretion, recognizing that having the hammer of the DAs office does not mean that every offense or offender is a nail.

Victim-centered prosecution: In 2023, the DA’s office implemented trauma-informed interview training for all staff and this type of victim-centered prosecution will continue and be a requirement for all staff with periodic refreshers and updates as needed to ensure victim input is core in prosecutorial decision-making.
Restorative Justice: The Restorative Justice initiative through Family of Woodstock and Ulster County will continue to be a method to bring accountability and healing for offenses and defendants that qualify–which are usually non-violent or low level misdemeanors. Training will continue to be a requirement and focus in the office.
Substance Use Disorder (Addiction) Measures:

For all possession misdemeanors/low-level felonies, defendants will be immediately connected with the Sheriff’s Office ORACLE and ADAs will provide defendants with up-to-date comprehensive information about all available providers at arraignment.
The office will convene or collaborate with a peer group for families of defendants and victims with substance use disorder to pinpoint how the DA’s office can continue to support these members of our community.
All appropriate cases will be referred to Ulster County Drug Treatment Court.
The office will continue to pursue grant opportunities at the state, local and nonprofit level in conjunction with the County and Sheriff’s Office to address the opioid crisis (the office recently joined on a grant application to the Department of Justice.)

Handling Mental Health Challenges: For those individuals with mental health issues, the County now provides a mental health court liaison in our busiest courts (Town of Ulster/Kingston).

Support the expansion of the mental health court liaison program to include all courts in Ulster County in conjunction with the County.
Convene a council to examine the implementation of a mental health court (“problem-solving”) court in Ulster County.

Veteran's Court: Manny is a survivor of Civil War and military regimes, and understands the unique challenges and trauma faced by our veterans. His goal is to implement a Veteran’s Court by the end of term. He will make it a priority and convene a council to address specific vet issues. Currently, when veterans are prosecuted, ADAs are directed to make a referral or notify our County Office of Veterans Services and Director.

Prevent crime before it starts

Manny will spearhead programs that protect the elderly from fraud and exploitation, and help kids understand the life consequences of getting involved with gangs and guns, and more.

“One Life Only” program in conjunction with Unity Hoops/Unity Goals: Once per quarter, ADAs and the DA will plan to visit Ulster County’s high schools in conjunction with AVERT of the Sheriff’s Office, to discuss the finality of gun violence and recruit peer advocates. The office will also expand the Unity Hoops program, a recurring youth basketball tournament, to include other sports and increase rapport between youth and law enforcement.

“Ask the DA” sessions: In conjunction with the Office for Aging, the DA will convene quarterly sessions to educate our community about current scams and how to protect our seniors from fraud. The office will create resources to be distributed to all senior centers, assisted living facilities, etc.

Intimate Partner Violence Intervention: Continue and expand this program, which is supported by the DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women.

Gender-based violence: Partner with the Office of the Lt. Governor on his “Start the Conversation” initiative: Pledge for Accountability: Engaging Men & Boys Against Gender-Based Violence.

Build the next generation DA’s Office

Since his appointment as Chief Assistant DA in 2021, Manny has been developing an energetic and diverse team of attorneys equipped with specialized technology and training to manage the changing demands of the law.

Continue efforts to diversify our DA’s Office: With a DA’s office that reflects the community, we can better support victims since crime does not discriminate and impacts all of us. Two Spanish speaking staff members have been added since 2021 and Manny plans to recruit more bilingual staff, understanding that victims find it much more comforting to speak about their trauma in their native language.

Increase transparency and communications:

An updated, modern website will be launched, including ADA-compliance and language accessibility.
The DA’s office is traditionally an insular institution that does not interact with other areas of government—this will change under DA Nneji through creating partnerships and communication with our county and municipal leaders.
"Ask the DA" Town Halls will be held in conjunction with the Sheriff and any local law enforcement to inform the public and hear their concerns about public safety—this was helpful when policing commissions were convened after the murder of George Floyd but these commissions and their work were never revisited.
A bimonthly email newsletter to the community with be produced with updates on the work of the DA’s Office and available resources.

A "Teaching DA's office": The office will work to integrate a fellows program for undergraduate students at SUNY Ulster and SUNY New Paltz, as well as with New York Law schools, so the office is better supported and functions more as a “teaching DA’s Office” much like a teaching hospital.
Collaboration with area law enforcement: The office will strengthen partnerships with the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of NY and State AG’s Office, as well as DA’s offices in our area (Dutchess, Orange, Greene, Columbia and Sullivan Counties).