MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (January 30, 2024) – William O. Wagstaff III, a prominent civil rights attorney, announced his Democratic candidacy for Westchester County District Attorney (DA) last November. If elected, he would become the county’s first Black top prosecutor.
Wagstaff, 42, has an extensive background in civil rights litigation, criminal defense, and municipal law. His law practice has handled high-profile cases involving allegations of excessive police force, illegal surveillance, and wrongful deaths in custody.
Rooted in His Hometown
A Mount Vernon native, Wagstaff wants to tackle “urban issues” in his suburban hometown. He believes economic and educational disadvantages drive much of the crime in communities like Mount Vernon.
“You have people who are coming from socio-economic backgrounds where they have been disadvantaged in most instances,” Wagstaff said.
Wagstaff’s parents, a teacher and a small business owner, provided him a supportive upbringing. However, a difficult personal experience exposed him to the criminal justice system first-hand.
Turning His Life Around
In his youth, Wagstaff borrowed money from an acquaintance who later extorted him at gunpoint to install a credit card skimmer. After pleading guilty to a federal misdemeanor, the judge sentenced him to probation and house arrest.
The experience inspired Wagstaff’s journey into law. He worked his way through Pace Law School and earned an MBA from Fordham while rebuilding his life.
“I want to be the lawyer that I didn’t have,” Wagstaff said. “The lawyer who is going to fight and exhaust all options and make sure that my client gets a fair shake.”
Platform Centers on Data-Driven Reforms
If elected DA, Wagstaff plans to utilize data analytics to reduce crime, combat racial bias, and promote diversion programs as an alternative to incarceration. He also wants to eradicate hate crimes and protect vulnerable communities.
Currently, Wagstaff lives with his wife and two children as he ramps up his groundbreaking campaign. Voters will select the next Westchester DA in a June 2024 Democratic primary.
