Niagara County's first woman DA takes charge

Caroline Wojtaszek putting prosecutors to work on Falls crime, reorganizing DA's office

By Christian W. Peck

Niagara County Public Information Officer

The first woman to hold the title "Niagara County district attorney" went to work with the new year, a day after being sworn into office in a packed County Courthouse.

With plans to expand the presence of prosecutors battling crime in Niagara Falls, and a significant reshaping of the district attorney's office, Caroline A. Wojtaszek ushered in a new era in Niagara County's court system.

The former law clerk to County Judge Sara Sheldon told more than 150 attendees at her New Year's Eve inauguration, "I promise that my only motivation will be to keep our community as safe as possible, and I will strive to get the right result in every case. I want to bring leadership, energy and my experience to the office."

Wojtaszek added that she hoped to refocus and reinvigorate the efforts of the county's chief prosecutor's office in the year ahead. "I hope to bring new ideas and new strategies to tackle the toughest issues that we face (in pursuit of) fair justice with an even hand," she said.

The University at Buffalo Law School graduate has been practicing law for 19 years. In addition to serving as Sheldon's law clerk, she is a former assistant district attorney who successfully prosecuted a number of high-profile cases, including the prosecution of the killers of 16-year-old Jennifer Bolender of Niagara Falls, which led to second-degree murder convictions of the teen's three assailants.

New Niagara County D.A. Caroline Wojtaszek outlines her vision for the Niagara County District Attorney's Office during her Dec. 31 inauguration as a crowd of 150 well-wishers looks on.