Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden sworn in, builds executive staff

  On his first day after being sworn in by Governor Charlie Baker, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden named Boston defense Attorney Kevin Mullen as his first assistant district attorney and announced the formation of a “transition team to help review office policies.”

  “The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office is staffed with exceptional attorneys and non-lawyers who are dedicated to justice and nurturing safe communities. That will not change with my administration,” Hayden said. “I am returning home by coming back to the office where I started my legal career. I could not be prouder to lead this office, which is so critical to preventing crime and harm in Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop.”

  Mullen was an assistant district attorney with Hayden in the 1990s. In addition to his work as a Suffolk County prosecutor, Mullen, who is from Dorchester, has worked as a criminal defense attorney and been appointed a special prosecutor in other counties, frequently for cases where the district attorney’s office was presented with a potential conflict of interest.

  One of Hayden’s priorities is to reduce the number of illegal guns in Suffolk County. “I am beginning a comprehensive review of all the gun cases pending in this office; each one has the potential to cause great harm to our communities,” said Hayden. “The harm that guns cause is incalculable and we must do everything in our power, use every tool at our disposal, to reduce that harm.”

  To learn how best to support the communities of Suffolk County, Hayden said, he will meet with staff members, law enforcement partners, elected officials and community partners. In addition, he will form a transition committee comprised of people who live, work and worship in Suffolk County to review policies and make recommendations on how to improve performance.

  “I am excited to start and humbled by the appointment,” said Hayden.