July 17, 2025
Cruz to Lead Nation’s Oldest & Largest Prosecutors Association
Arlington, VA – The National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) Board of Directors has elected Timothy J. Cruz, longtime District Attorney of Plymouth County, Massachusetts, as its President for the 2025 –2026 term.
Cruz was officially sworn in during NDAA’s annual Summer Summit, where prosecutors from across the nation gathered to address critical issues in criminal justice. A career prosecutor with a legacy of innovation and collaboration, Cruz brings more than two decades of frontline leadership to his new role as President of NDAA. As a national voice for prosecutors, Cruz will lead the association’s efforts to support and elevate the work of district attorneys nationwide, focusing on victim – centered justice, innovation in public safety, and sustainable solutions to emerging community challenges.
“Prosecutors are more than courtroom advocates; we are frontline problem solvers who stand for justice,healing, and hope,” said Cruz. “As NDAA President, I will ensure that the voices of prosecutors from all jurisdictions are heard loud and clear. Together, we will continue to prioritize victims, reduce violence, and bring innovative, community-based strategies to the forefront of prosecution.”
Since 2001, DA Cruz has served the 535,000 residents of Plymouth County, overseeing a jurisdiction that spans urban, suburban, and rural communities. Under his leadership, the office has launched impactful programs targeting human trafficking, child exploitation, organized retail crime, elder abuse, and opioid addiction. His holistic, prevention-forward approach to justice has earned national recognition.
“DA Cruz is a proven leader with a track record of results,” said Nelson Bunn, NDAA Executive Director. “His commitment to proactive prevention, enforcement, and cross-sector collaboration makes him uniquely suited to lead NDAA at this critical moment in our nation’s justice system.”
Beyond his prosecutorial work, Cruz has served in numerous leadership roles, including as President of the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association and as a member of the Governor’s Council on Capital Punishment and the Forensic Sciences Advisory Board. He currently serves on several community boards and remains actively involved in mentoring youth and supporting criminal justice reform initiatives that promote safety and dignity.
Cruz earned his undergraduate degree from Boston College and his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School. He is admitted to practice before the Massachusetts bar, U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
In addition to electing DA Cruz, NDAA members confirmed the following prosecutors to leadership roles for the 2025–2026 term:
President-Elect: Jennifer Webb-McRae, Prosecutor, Cumberland County, NJ
Chair of the Board: Summer Stephan, District Attorney, San Diego County, CA
Secretary/Treasurer: Eric Zahnd, Prosecuting Attorney, Platte County, MO
Vice Presidents: Ed Brodsky, State Attorney, 12th Judicial Circuit, FL, Michael Ferrarese, District Attorney, Chenango County, NY, Anthony Gulluni, District Attorney, Hampden County, MA
Directors-at-Large: Ivan Bates, State’s Attorney, Baltimore City, MD, Lorrin Freeman, District Attorney, Wake County, NC, Stephanie Newell, District Attorney, Bell County, TX, Jeff Sutherland, Prosecutor, Cape May County, NJ, John Wentworth, District Attorney, Clackamas County, OR
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About the National District Attorneys Association:
Formed in 1950, NDAA is the oldest and largest national organization representing state and local prosecutors in the country. With more than 6,000 members representing over two-thirds of the state and local prosecutors’ offices, NDAA is recognized as the leading source of national expertise on the prosecution function and is a valuable resource for the media, academia, government, and community leaders. NDAA’s mission is to provide state and local prosecutors with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to ensure that justice is done and that public safety rights are protected.
Contact: Natalie Harrell, NDAA Director of Communications, 703-519-1644/ nharrell@ndaajustice.org