Leaders

Item Description

Mitchell R. Morrissey was elected District Attorney of Denver in November 2004 and was sworn into office on January 11, 2005. He is responsible for the prosecution of more than 6,000 felony and 18,000 misdemeanor criminal cases every year. He is nationally known for his expertise in DNA technology, applying that technology in criminal prosecutions and working to ensure that DNA science is admissible in our courtrooms.

As the chief prosecutor for the Second Judicial District, Mitch is an aggressive prosecutor and an advocate of prevention and intervention initiatives. He makes victims a priority and is dedicated to providing victims a strong voice in the justice system through a number of efforts.

Mitch leads a strong (and award-winning) team of Victim Advocates who work closely with victims of crime. He understands the impact of crime on people and supports the work of programs like the Victim Services Network. This important work coordinates different services for victims, especially those in under-served areas and communities.

An important tool in solving and prosecuting many crimes is DNA technology. Mitch recognized the potential of DNA science early on and prosecuted the first trial in Denver to utilize DNA. His DNA Resource section on this web site has become an international resource for other prosecutors.

Morrissey is featured in an October 2006 profile article in Denver’s premier magazine, 5280. The article, by senior editor Amanda M. Faison, takes a closer look at Morrissey, his history and his passion about DNA: A Model Organism
Reprinted in its entirety with permission from 5280 Magazine:

There are 77 attorneys and approximately 127 staff working under Mitch's direction. They prosecute criminals, work on behalf of victims, teach public school students about the law, promote crime prevention, and many other things that all relate to the overall mission of the Denver District Attorney's Office: to do justice.

This is accomplished through prosecution units including our County Court and District Court divisions as well as specialized units such as the Economic Crime Unit, Family Violence Unit and the Gang/Gun Unit. Mitch has worked hard with the newly formed Denver Crime Control Commission and the City to bring back Drug Court in Denver.

Mitch has worked on behalf of the citizens of Denver for more than 20 years as an attorney in the Denver DA's Office; more than half of those years he has served as a Chief Deputy. He has assisted the U.S. Attorney's Office as a Special Assistant in prosecuting federal cases involving DNA evidence, was selected Prosecutor of the Year in 2001 by the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, and has taught on a variety of subjects for the Council and the Denver Police Department including demonstrative evidence, rules of evidence, gang prosecutions, violent crime and DNA.

Mitch serves on the board of the National Forensic Science Technology Center, as well as the board for Denver Crime Stoppers. He is a member of the Advisory Council for National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Council for the Rocky Mountain Region and has served on the board of the Denver Sexual Assault Interagency Council.

He is a Denver native, a graduate of the University of Denver College of Law, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Mullen High School.

He is a Denver native, a graduate of the University of Denver College of Law, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Mullen High School.