District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni was sworn into office as Hampden District Attorney in January 2015 and is currently in the middle of serving his second four-year term. He is a life-long Springfield resident who attended local schools, including Western New England University, from which he earned a bachelor’s degree in 2003 and juris doctorate in 2007.
Anthony had the benefit of witnessing his father’s long career in human service and followed that example into his early career work with the Salvation Army, the City of Springfield, and as an assistant district attorney.
As District Attorney, he has promoted his vision of safer communities by innovative and significant investment in community building and outreach, crime prevention and education, and by focusing efforts on the smart prosecution of violent offenders. The Hampden District Attorney’s Office has engaged with many community-based organizations, including Roca, the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley, and the YWCA to broaden its reach and provide equitable services to all communities in need. His office has also initiated many of its own programs to engage youth, prevent crime, help people overcome addiction, and promote social and racial equity in criminal justice.
In fact, last year, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office created a young adult court named EACH, the Emerging Adult Court of Hope. This groundbreaking model engages young adults from ages 18-24 who are ensnared in a cycle of negativity and incarceration. EACH, in partnership with various community organizations and state agencies, was designed by District Attorney Gulluni to disrupt this cycle to which he saw so many young people fall prey. Instead of incarceration, the court provides intensive support and programming focused on the participants’ physical and mental health, behavior patterns, housing, and ultimately the development of a pathway for careers through education and job training. The court is the first of its kind in Massachusetts and is already receiving national attention for its innovation and potential effectiveness with this crucial population.
District Attorney Gulluni was appointed by Governor Charlie Baker to serve on the board that oversees the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance and administers millions of dollars of funds to victim and survivor organizations. Governor Baker also appointed him to his state-wide Taskforce on Hate Crimes.
He is a past president of the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Association, and recipient of the President’s Medallion from Western New England University.
