Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon is discussing the progress of his agenda for his first 100 days in office.

“I care very deeply about a system that promises to keep its citizens safe, while also safeguarding the constitutional rights of everybody involved," Kindlon said. 

From an 18-year career as a criminal defense attorney to being sworn in as Albany County’s top prosecutor in December, Kindlon says the biggest change is transitioning from a solo practitioner to a team leader. 

“I'm learning how to sit back and lead this really wonderful team of men and women in the office," Kindlon said. 

Kindlon defeated Republican Ralph Ambrosio and longtime DA David Soares, a Democrat who Kindlon defeated in a primary last June and ran a write-in campaign, in November's election. Soares had been in the position for the last 20 years.

On Kindlon’s list of top priorities is expanding the Community Justice Outreach Center, bolstering resources to address major crimes and staffing a dedicated unit for restorative justice – which he says is already underway. 

“I want to make sure that a criminal defendant is being given the opportunity to get that second chance if it's necessary and appropriate," Kindlon said.

Kindlon is also supporting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2025 State of the State proposal to streamline the discovery process with changes to reforms passed in 2019. 

He says it’s not a return to what he calls the bad old days, but a reasonable step forward. 

“It cuts down on litigation that then jams up the courts for months, delaying justice for victims [and] defendants who are sitting in jail right now just as all these motions go through the court system," Kindlon said.

When it comes to safety in the city of Albany, Interim Police Chief Brendan Cox announced in January overall crime in Albany was down 12%, but city and county leaders, including Kindlon, acknowledge residents don’t feel safe. 

And a rash of recent shootings hasn’t quelled those fears. 

“We’re trying to be as open and transparent as possible in this office to communicate to the community," Kindlon said. "Or office is out there. We’re working with the police. We’re prosecuting the bad guys.”