From the Desk of Atlantic City Prosecutor Cary Shill
MAYS LANDING—Erika Halayko has been promoted as the newest Chief Assistant Prosecutor at Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Cary Shill announced.
“I am proud to announce the well-deserved promotion of Erika Halayko to Chief Assistant Prosecutor at the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. I have watched, for over a decade, as Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko has worked diligently in the pursuit of justice while serving in the litigation unit and then handling sexual assault cases in the Special Victim’s Unit, as well as, official misconduct and financial crimes cases. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko has consistently shown her leadership skills while volunteering as the office’s Chief Intern Coordinator. She has continually shown her commitment to the communities in Atlantic County by participating in community events. Thank you for your service, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko and I look forward to watching you practice your leadership skills in this new role,” said Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Cary Shill.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko, 38, was hired by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in 2010. She started her career in the grand jury unit, was appointed to the litigation unit in 2011 and since 2018, served in the Special Victim’s Unit handling sexual assault, official misconduct and financial crimes cases. She has tried various jury and bench trials. Additionally, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko has received specialized training in interviewing child witnesses and prosecuting gang violence.
“I want to congratulate Erika Halayko on her promotion to Chief Assistant Prosecutor in charge of supervising the Grand Jury Unit. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with her on several cases throughout the years and know she will be excellent in the position. Her work ethic and her ability to communicate effectively is essential in training the newly experienced assistant prosecutors that typically make up the majority of that unit,” said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Erik Bergman.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Erika Halayko participating in an Atlantic City community walk for ACPO and the Coalition for a Safe Community.
Since 2016, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko volunteers as the office’s Chief Intern Coordinator, where she serves as a mentor to rising stars in the legal profession.
“Erika has been a leader at ACPO for years, from running the legal intern program to mentoring so many young prosecutors. She will be an excellent chief,” said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Rick McKelvey.
“All of the office’s assistant prosecutors and interns that I have had the privilege of working with while serving our county are so special to me—each and every one of them. They are my sources of inspiration to work harder and I want to honor them,” Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko said.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko said she did not reach this level in her law enforcement career alone. She was inspired by all of the chief assistant prosecutors serving in this role when she started her career at the office in 2010.
“From mentoring new Assistant Prosecutors to her professionalism while pursuing justice in the courtroom, Erika has shown herself to be a true leader in the office,” said Chief Assistant Prosecutor John Flammer.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko holds a B.A. in English and Criminal Justice from Rutgers University, where she graduated magna cum laude in 2006. She then earned her law degree from Seton Hall University, graduating in 2009. Upon graduation from law school, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Peter J. Melchionne, J.S.C. in the Bergen County Family Division. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko is barred in both New Jersey and New York.
“On my journey, there have been so many who have come before me–and those who are currently serving– and I would be remiss if I did not show my gratitude for their contributions and guidance,” Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko said.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Erika Halayko, attending the “Pizza with the Prosecutors & the Police” event in Pleasantville, along with ACPO Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Mario Formica, ACPO Assistant Prosecutor Marisa McGarvey & retired ACPO Sgt. Tracey Thompson.
Now, she joins Chief Assistant Prosecutor Courtney Cittadini to serve as ACPO’s two female chief assistant prosecutors. In December of 2020, Cittadini was promoted to Chief Assistant Prosecutor of ACPO’s Screening Unit. In 2003, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Cittadini began her career at the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, where she was assigned to several ACPO units, including, Special Litigation, Grand Jury, Domestic Violence and since 2017, the Screening Unit.
“When Courtney was promoted to Chief Assistant Prosecutor I was very proud of her and inspired to also reach that level of leadership at the office,” said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko. “I am so very humbled. I am ready to lead, to serve our county and continue to pursue justice.”
In 2022, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko was a judge for the Atlantic County Mock Trial Competition and appointed as a trustee for the Assistant Prosecutor Association of New Jersey (APANJ). In 2020, she was the recipient of Atlantic City Weekly’s “Top 40 under 40” award. In 2019, she spoke at Atlantic Cape Community College’s “Human Trafficking Symposium.” She was also a panelist for the 2018 Annual CPANJ Prosecutor’s College, on the topic of “Strategies for Winning your Trial,” and as a guest speaker for the Atlantic County Bar Association in 2017. In the past, she has instructed various law enforcement agencies in Atlantic County on effective report writing and changes in New Jersey criminal law. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Halayko regularly participates in the Coalition for a Safe Community and the Atlantic County Bar Association. She proudly serves as a senior adjunct professor in the English Department at Atlantic Cape Community College, where she has been teaching English and writing since 2016. An avid creative writer, she has had her poetry featured in Atlantic Cape Community College’s Literary Magazine “Rewrites.”