The District Attorney is the chief law enforcement officer for the Cape & Islands district, responsible for prosecuting all criminal cases in Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties. The office handles everything from misdemeanors to major felonies across all courts in the district — including Barnstable Superior Court and the District Courts in Barnstable, Falmouth, Orleans, Nantucket, and Edgartown.
What Does the District Attorney Do?
The District Attorney’s Office prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the Commonwealth, supports victims and witnesses, works with law enforcement on investigations, and advocates for public safety policy. The DA decides which cases to prosecute, what charges to bring, and whether to seek alternatives to incarceration when appropriate. The office also runs victim advocacy programs, coordinates with social service agencies, and addresses regional crime trends like the opioid crisis. The Cape & Islands district was established in 1974 and covers 23 cities and towns across three counties.
Current Officeholder
Robert J. Galibois II
DA Galibois was elected in November 2022 and took office in January 2023. He is the first Democrat to hold the position since 1970. A Barnstable resident, he began his legal career in 1995 as a volunteer prosecutor in the Barnstable District Court. After briefly exploring municipal law, he returned to the DA’s office as a full-time Assistant District Attorney, where he spent 15 years prosecuting cases across all Cape & Islands courts — including 15 homicide cases.
He lives in Barnstable with his wife Nikki Galibois, Ph.D., who serves as Director of Planning and Development for the South Shore Community Action Council. They have two sons, both born on Cape Cod.
Key Accomplishments
Opioid Crisis Response
Implemented a policy of seeking pretrial detention for fentanyl traffickers. Between 2023 and 2024, the Cape & Islands district saw a 25% drop in non-fatal overdoses and a 35% decline in fatal overdoses — among the most significant reductions in the state.
Child Protection
Launched a new coordinated initiative bringing together prosecutors, victim advocates, law enforcement, Children’s Cove (the county child advocacy center), and the Department of Children and Families to deliver rapid, comprehensive support in cases of suspected child abuse.
Funding Advocacy
Identified a $3.4 million funding gap between the Cape & Islands office and a comparable western Massachusetts district, despite the Cape office handling a higher caseload. The Barnstable County Commissioners expressed strong support and committed to advocating with the state for equitable funding.
Ethics & Accountability
In May 2024, the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission found that DA Galibois violated the conflict-of-interest law in two instances shortly after taking office in early 2023:
1. Use of public resources after a car accident: On February 23, 2023, Galibois was involved in a motor vehicle accident while making an illegal U-turn in his state vehicle. Barnstable Police issued warnings for improper turn, marked lanes violation, and failure to file an accident report. In response to media coverage, he directed his Second Assistant DA to draft a press release on official letterhead to shape public perception of the incident — using public resources to further a private interest.
2. Promoting a campaign donor’s rental apartments: Also in February 2023, a campaign donor offered rental apartments to DA staff. Galibois sent an office-wide email using his official DA email account promoting the donor’s apartments and offering to connect interested staff — using public resources to benefit a campaign contributor.
Galibois signed a Disposition Agreement admitting the violations and paid a $5,000 civil penalty to the Commonwealth. He waived his right to a hearing.
Source: Massachusetts Ethics Commission — Disposition Agreement · Mass.gov Press Release
Jurisdiction
Barnstable County
All 15 Cape Cod towns: Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, Yarmouth
Dukes County
Martha’s Vineyard towns: Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, West Tisbury, Chilmark, Aquinnah (Gay Head), plus Gosnold (Elizabeth Islands)
Nantucket County
Town and County of Nantucket
Courts Served
Barnstable Superior Court, Barnstable District Court, Falmouth District Court, Orleans District Court, Nantucket District Court, Edgartown District Court
Contact Information
📍 Main Office
Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office
3231 Main Street
Barnstable, MA 02630
🌐 Online
capeandislandsda.gov
Victim/witness services, office information, and press releases
📞 Victim Services
The Victim/Witness Program provides court advocacy, safety planning, referrals, and support for crime victims throughout the legal process.
📋 Established
The Cape & Islands district was created in 1974 as a dedicated prosecutorial district for the region.