A New York district attorney has been officially sanctioned for "seeking special treatment" during a traffic stop.
Sandra J. Doorley, a four-term Republican district attorney of Monroe County, was publicly censured on Tuesday for failing to comply with a lawful traffic stop in April 2024 and attempting to leverage her office for personal benefit.
The Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct reviewed her case after viral body cam footage of Doorley's conduct prompted state officials—including Governor Kathy Hochul—to call for the investigation.
Video shows an agitated Doorley exiting her vehicle in her garage after failing to pull over for the officer. "Sir, I'm the DA, I was going 55 coming home from work," Doorley said. When the officer exclaimed "55 in a 35!" Doorley replied, "I don't really care."
Doorley was dismissive of the officer and made multiple calls to the chief of police "to seek special treatment," according to an agreed statement of facts. "This is ridiculous, just go away," Doorley told the officer, proceeding to ignore directions and use profanity.
When she was eventually handed a ticket for speeding, she said, "That's fine, I'll take care of it, since I'll be prosecuting myself."
Doorley ultimately acknowledged that she had "refused to comply with a lawful order," sought "special treatment," and released an initial statement publicly downplaying key details of the encounter. The commission said her actions undermined public trust, especially given her role as an elected prosecutor responsible for upholding justice.
"I know it's time for me to go," Doorley testified to the commission in March. "I think it's time that there should be a new DA."
In agreeing to the public censure, Doorley acknowledged her misconduct warranted formal discipline. The commission concluded that public accountability was necessary to restore confidence in the justice system.
Doorley has not announced a date for her resignation.
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