Ashley Williams is Livingston County’s first female District Attorney. Photo provided by Livingston County
Ashley Williams, Livingston County’s new top prosecutor, took the oath of office during a swearing in ceremony recently at the Livingston County courthouse. She made local history during the event, becoming the first woman to be elected district attorney there in the more than 200 years since the county’s founding.
In November, Williams defeated incumbent Greg McCaffrey, a Democrat who held the county’s district attorney position for the last 12 years. She plans to prioritize several initiatives as district attorney, including fighting the drug crisis, reducing crime, standing up for victims’ rights, and ensuring the D.A.’s Office participates in Centralized Arraignment Part Court, or CAP Court, proceedings. During her swearing in, Williams vowed to use the power of her office to protect the citizens of Livingston County and achieve justice for crime victims and their families.
“Stepping into this role, I know that I will be dealing with not just cases but with the lives and futures of real people,” said Williams. “Behind every file, every document, there’s a human story of struggle, of hope, and the pursuit of fairness and the need for justice. I plan to improve access to victim services; work collaboratively and strengthen the relationships with law enforcement and our community partners; and represent the people of Livingston County at every stage of the criminal process. I will always be committed to seeking justice, promoting fairness, and keeping our families safe.”
Williams was sworn into office by Judge Jennifer M. Noto of the Livingston County Court. A history-maker herself, Judge Noto became the first female Livingston County judge when she took the oath of office in December of 2019.
Livingston County Board of Supervisors Chair David LeFeber offered Williams his congratulations as she takes on the important work of her new office.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our county’s history as we welcome Ashley Williams as our first female district attorney,” said LeFeber. “We are proud to welcome her to this new role and support her vision of a comprehensive approach to prosecution focusing not just on punishment, but on community safety and support for our local law enforcement.”
A graduate of Albany Law School, Williams brings more than 12 years of prosecutorial experience to her new role. She previously served as senior attorney for the Livingston County Department of Social Services since 2020. Before that, Williams practiced law as the county’s assistant district attorney from 2016 to 2019. Prior to her work with Livingston County, Williams worked as an assistant district attorney for Oneida and Rensselaer Counties.
“Having been a prosecutor in both criminal and family courts, I believe these experiences have made me a more well-rounded prosecutor,” said Williams. “There is a crossover between criminal defendants and the impact of their behaviors on their families. Substance abuse, property-based crimes, and domestic violence are not issues in a vacuum. There needs to be a systematic approach to holding criminals responsible and ensuring our victims and families are connected with services so that they can be safe and healthy moving forward. Throughout these roles, I have continuously worked with law enforcement. I will support our men and women who serve our community and facilitate strong relationships with our community partners.”
The Livingston County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes all offenses recognized by the courts of the county. The district attorney also advises and assists police when called upon for aid, prepares information requested by police, and appears in court for preliminary hearings, among other duties. For more, visit the Livingston County District Attorney’s website.
