Biography of District Attorney David P. Soares

P. David Soares – Albany County District Attorney

On October 26, 1969, P. David Soares was born in Brava, Cape Verde, an island off the coast of West Africa. He is the youngest of five children born to Lucas and Lidia Soares. When David was six years old, his family moved to the United States and settled in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where his father found a vocation as a carpenter, and his mother worked at the local mill.

At an early age, David's parents instilled in him the value of family, education, hard work, and active participation within a strong community. Although David grew up in a rough neighborhood, loving friends and a strong community surrounded him. Neighbors kept an eye on one another's children and were quick to lend a hand. This upbringing encouraged David to believe in the goodness and potential of all people if given the proper guidance. His parents' emphasis on education provided a solid motivation for David's future goals in life.

David worked his way through Cornell University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. After Cornell, David attended Albany Law School and received his law degree in 1999. As he had at Cornell University, David worked his way through Albany Law School. He interned and worked for the Albany County Airport Authority and also served as an intern at the District Attorney's Office, where he eventually became an Assistant District Attorney.

As an Assistant District Attorney in Albany County, David was Albany's first community prosecutor. He established a Community Accountability Board, which successfully involved community members in turning youth away from crime and drugs.

David was elected Albany County District Attorney on November 2, 2004 and re-elected to a second term on November 4, 2008.

As an ADA and now as the DA, David fights crime with the lessons his parents taught him, “help and protect those who may not be able to protect themselves.”

David is the proud father of two young children. David remains active in his community as a mentor in Bethlehem Youth Court, by teaching “Legal Lives” in the Albany Public Schools and as a board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany.

Since taking office, David has instituted numerous initiatives including:

Creation of the Financial Crimes Unit
Creation of the Public Integrity Unit
Creation of the Community Prosecution Unit
Operation Speeding Bullet, to expediate the prosecution of gun crimes
Hiring two full-time Victim Advocates, a first for the Office of the District Attorney
Victim Advocacy Program in partnership with the University at Albany School of Social Welfare
Making Crime Pay, funding local law enforcement agencies through forfeiture funds
ENOUGH, anti-gun initiative
Alternative Sentencing Options
Safe Homes, Safe Streets
Operation Bounceback
Bring it to the Courts, NYPUM and other youth diversion programs
S.A.L.T., a concerted effort between law enforcement and senior citizens to serve the specific needs of older citizens

During his second term, David plans to continue to expand on the successes of his first term by:

Reducing street violence through creative, non-traditional means
Building hope for the people of Albany County by restoring communities
Dealing with the crisis of re-entry
Emphasizing prevention over prosecution

As a frequent Public Speaker, DA Soares continues to speak at events both locally and nationally such as:

Albany County Young Democrats
New York State Crime Victim’s Memorial Dedication
The Harvard Black Law Students Association
The Women’s Bar Association
Institute of the Greater Somos El Futuro
Black & Latino Achievers Program
The International Harm Reduction Association
Albany Law Muslim Law Student's Association
New York State University at Albany
Several local middle schools, high schools and universities

David is an active member of the Albany County Community volunteering and working for several community organizations and committees:

Judge Judith Kaye's Task Force on the Future of Probation in New York
Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany
Albany County Children's Advocacy Center
New York State Association of Counties
NYS Public Safety Standing Committee
Criminal Justice Section's Drug Policy Committee
Albany Law School AIDS law clinic
Prisoners’ Legal Services
National Institute of Corrections National Sentencing Advisory Committee

David has also received a number of awards and recognitions including:

United Tenants of Albany, June 16, 2004
United Front Youth Organization, August 31, 2004
Capital District Labor-Religion Coalition - Jobs with Justice Community Award, February 10, 2005
NYS Association of Black & Puerto Rican Legislators Chairman's Award, February 20, 2005
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, June 11, 2005
Keynote Speaker at NAACP Saratoga County, October 26, 2005
United Parents in Support of Our Children, June 18, 2005
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, December 9, 2005
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., March 11, 2006
Key to Success, Key Supporter Award, July 2006
City of Pawtucket Rode Island Citation, August 26, 2006
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Senate Citation, August 27, 2006
New York Civil Liberties Union, Ned Pattison Award, November 15, 2006
Working Families 2007 Champion for Justice Award, April 25, 2007
Community Cradle Award, May 3, 2007
CamerLook , Cameroon Association of the Capital District Community Service Award, May 19, 2007
Arson Prosecutor of the Year, November 4, 2007
Prisoners Legal Services, November 15, 2007
Jewish War Veterans of the United States, December 2, 2007
Youth Law Day, Albany Law School, April 21, 2008
City of Schenectady, May 10, 2008
University at Albany, October 23, 2008
Green Island Democratic Association, October 30, 2008
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Trailblazer Award, November 8, 2008
Schenectady NAACP, Hazel Dukes Human Rights Award, 2008
Federal Executives Association of North Eastern New York, February 24, 2009
Albany Parent Teacher Association, Honorary Life Service Award, February 27, 2009