"The qualities of a good prosecutor are as elusive and as impossible to define as those which mark a gentleman. And those who need to be told would not understand it anyway. A sensitiveness to fair play and sportsmanship is perhaps the best protection against the abuse of power, and the citizen's safety lies in the prosecutor who tempers zeal with human kindness, who seeks truth and not victims, who serves the law and not factional purposes, and who approaches his task with humility".  - Justice R. H. Jackson

Though written many years ago, these words of Justice Jackson embody ideals which I believe should govern my service as your Commonwealth's Attorney. Historically, the concerns of the criminal justice system have focused on the accused, while the needs of crime victims and witnesses received only minimal attention. Justice, however, belongs to all citizens, and I believe we have made great strides in recent years to relieve the inequity of this situation.

The successful prosecution of crime in Alexandria is impossible without the support, assistance and cooperation of our citizens. In our mutual endeavor to make Alexandria a safer place in which to live and work, I ask for your cooperation and assistance, and promise to do all I can to ensure that the ends of justice are served. Thank you.

- Bryan L. Porter, Commonwealth's Attorney

The Commonwealth’s Attorney serves as the chief prosecutor for the City of Alexandria and provides legal counsel to the Sheriff’s Office and the Police Department on criminal matters. Bryan Porter currently holds this role. A career prosecutor since 2001, he began his first term as Commonwealth’s Attorney in January 2014. Under his leadership, the office has grown substantially and now includes 20 prosecutors, 14 administrative professionals, 7 victim services professionals, 3 law clerks, and an APD Liaison.

The office actively contributes to several citywide initiatives, including the Youth Policy Commission, the Economic Opportunities Commission, the Citywide Code Compliance Task Force, and the Domestic Violence Intervention Project. Victim-witness advocates provide systems-based support, working closely with community partners to assist crime victims and survivors. They also participate in community events and outreach efforts to promote awareness, education, and access to victim services.

Prosecutors are assigned cases according to specialized areas of law. Each attorney works with a dedicated victim-witness advocate and paralegal, and remains on call when needed to collaborate with law enforcement in developing cases for prosecution.

Prosecutors and Their Assignments 

If you would like a prosecutor to speak to your civic group or school class on a law-enforcement–related topic, please contact our office by phone or email.

If you are a witness and need to confirm whether your court appearance is required, please call after 5:00 p.m. on the day before the scheduled hearing.

 Case Updates