WHITE PLAINS – The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office yielded a 97 percent felony conviction rate in 2007. It’s 2007 annual report also said it had over 99 percent affirmance rate on appeals.

The 29 page report outlines the accomplishments and initiatives of the District Attorney’s office in 2007, along with setting goals for 2008 and looking forward to expanding upon the programs that have been implemented over the last two years.

“The District Attorney’s office is continuing to evolve from a traditional, reactive law enforcement agency, focusing solely on the prosecution of criminals, to a proactive, forward-thinking office addressing public safety needs by focusing on the many forces that drive crime in our communities,” said DA Janet DiFiore.

Additional highlights of this year’s report are:

Collaboration: The DA’s office has worked hard to forge solid strategic alliances with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, the courts, and victim advocate and community groups.

The aggressive prosecution of violent felonies and investigations targeting gangs, narcotics and firearms.

The Child Fatality Review Team released three public reports with the goal of educating parents of young children to the dangers of co-sleeping.

Seeking to enhance their ability to prosecute important cases, the DA’s office successfully proposed important legislation in the areas of human trafficking and online sexual predators.

The District Attorney agreed to chair the Westchester County Reentry Task Force, a collaboration among state, county and not-for-profit agencies that began its work in 2007. The Task Force coordinates supervision and services for reentrants and assists where gaps in services impede a successful return to the community and family.