He was elected in 2021 to succeed Cyrus Vance Jr.[1] District attorneys are legally permitted to delegate the prosecution of petty crimes or offenses.

[2][3] Prosecutors do not normally handle New York City Criminal Court summons court cases, and the Manhattan district attorney has a memorandum of understanding with the New York City Police Department allowing their legal bureau to selectively prosecute them.

[4][5] In the legislative act of February 12, 1796, New York State was divided into seven districts, each with an Assistant Attorney General, except New York County where Attorney General Josiah Ogden Hoffman prosecuted personally until 1801.

In case of a vacancy, an acting district attorney was appointed by the Court of General Sessions until the Governor of New York filled the vacancy with an interim appointment until an election was held for the remainder of the term.

[8] In case of a vacancy, the governor can make an interim appointment until a special election is held for the remainder of the term.