Remarks at the 20th Annual Thomas E. Dewey Medal Presentation – By Muhammad U. Faridi, President

My name is Muhammad Faridi, and I am the president of the association.

Tonight, we gather to celebrate an honored tradition: the presentation of the Thomas E. Dewey Medal to outstanding Assistant District Attorneys from each of the District Attorney’s Offices in New York City and the Office of the City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor—individuals who have continued to keep alive the spirit and legacy of Thomas Dewey.

I’d like to thank Tom Dewey, and his law firm Dewey Pegno & Kramarsky for supporting this award.  And to Judge Gonzalez for speaking here tonight.

Dewey served as a groundbreaking force in the field of public prosecution during the early-to-mid 20th century.  His name evokes the image of a man who had both the vision and the courage to transform what it meant to be a prosecutor in New York.  Perhaps Dewey’s greatest legacy—and the reason we bestow an award in his name—was the way he ushered in an era that emphasized merit, professionalism, and the pursuit of justice above political considerations.  In his day, patronage and political favoritism often overshadowed competence and integrity in prosecutors’ offices.  Dewey helped alter that landscape, championing a new standard where ability, honesty, and impartiality came first.  He reminded us that the purpose of a prosecutor’s office is not to win at all costs, but to seek the truth, maintain fairness, and ensure accountability under the law.

Dewey’s legacy feels more relevant than ever as we navigate a moment in our nation’s history where the integrity of the prosecutorial function is at risk.  We have, in recent times, witnessed rhetoric and actions that threaten to turn this noble profession into a tool for partisan aims.  The subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) pressures to use prosecutorial discretion as a political weapon, rather than a public trust, loom large.  Those who wield prosecutorial power must do so in pursuit of justice and the public good, not personal advantage, political gain, or ideological vendetta.  Dewey’s commitment to building offices defined by merit rather than patronage should inspire us to hold the line and guard zealously against the weaponization of law enforcement.  More than ever, we must remember that no matter how intense our political climate becomes, our prosecutorial institutions should remain faithful to one guiding star: the rule of law.

This is where tonight’s honorees come in.  Each year, this medal is awarded to Assistant District Attorneys who embody the highest ideals of public service.  They are the keepers of Dewey’s merit-driven flame, and they continue his proud tradition of ensuring that prosecution is guided by principle, not politics.  They stand as bulwarks against corruption, arbitrariness, and fear.  They remind us that, while the legal landscape may change, the bedrock principles that govern our work should remain steadfast.

This evening, we recognize that these honorees exemplify the core attributes that lie at the heart of the prosecutorial function.  They are honest.  They are sincere.  They are impartial.  They are brave.  And they carry within themselves a profound zeal for the public interest.  These qualities define what it means to serve as an Assistant District Attorney who is worthy of the public’s trust.  They are the qualities that give life to the law and shape its moral character, long before any case file ever reaches a courtroom.

Of these attributes, there is one in particular that deserves special mention tonight—courage.  By courage, I do not mean mere physical bravery, although that too may sometimes be required.  I mean the kind of moral courage that compels a prosecutor to do the right thing in the face of heated political pressure, relentless public scrutiny, and even the threat of violence or intimidation.  In an era marked by increasingly charged rhetoric and attempts to undermine the credibility of our justice system, these honorees have chosen the more difficult path.  They have chosen to hold themselves and their offices to the highest standards, to say “no” when it would be more comfortable to say “yes,” and to remain steadfastly independent in their pursuit of justice.

Tonight’s honorees do not simply follow a code written in textbooks. They embody the principles of fairness, impartiality, and equal justice in their daily work: carefully assessing evidence, responsibly exercising discretion, arguing issues with integrity, and treating all parties—victims, defendants, witnesses, and the public at large—with respect and dignity.  They are the ones who make the wheels of justice turn, not through bluster or showmanship, but through the diligent, patient, and scrupulous application of the law.

It is fitting that this ceremony includes not only these remarkable individuals but also the people who have stood by them through countless late nights, long hours, and difficult decisions.  To the families, friends, and colleagues who are here tonight: you, too, deserve our gratitude.  Few outside this profession truly understand the weight that Assistant District Attorneys carry—the emotional toll of working on difficult cases, the pressure of making decisions that affect lives, and the moral burden of ensuring that every action taken reflects a commitment to justice rather than convenience.  Your support and encouragement, your quiet reassurances on stressful evenings, and your unwavering presence in the face of uncertainty have helped these honorees remain steadfast to their calling.  Your understanding and compassion have been indispensable. Without you, their journey would have been far more arduous.

Thank you for joining us in this celebration of excellence, courage, and principle.