Scott W. Murray was sworn in as the 57th United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire on March 5, 2018. U.S. Attorney Murray was nominated by the President on December 1, 2017, and confirmed by the United States Senate on February 15, 2018. U.S. Attorney Murray is the chief federal law enforcement officer in New Hampshire. He and his Assistant United States Attorneys are responsible for the prosecution of criminal cases brought by the United States in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire. The office also prosecutes civil enforcement actions, collects debts owed to the government, and defends the United States in civil cases.
The U.S. Attorney is responsible for carrying out the mission of the United States Department of Justice, which includes protecting Americans from terrorism and threats to national security, combating violent crime, fighting public corruption and protecting our county’s vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, victims of hate crime and victims of human trafficking and exploitation. In response to New Hampshire’s opioid crisis, U.S. Attorney Murray has prioritized the prosecution of illegal drug sales, particularly cases involving fentanyl and other deadly opioids. Under his leadership, the office filed charges against more defendants in 2019 than in any previous year.
U.S. Attorney Murray has been a prosecutor throughout his legal career. He was elected Merrimack (N.H.) County Attorney in 2010 and was re-elected in 2012, 2014 and 2016. He was nominated by both the Republican and Democratic parties in the latter three elections. In 2016, the New Hampshire Association of Counties named him County Attorney of the Year. During his tenure, the Merrimack County Attorney’s Office obtained convictions in State v. Owen Labrie, a sexual assault case that gained national attention as a victory for victim’s rights. U.S. Attorney Murray was serving his fourth term as County Attorney when nominated by the President. Prior to his election as County Attorney, U.S. Attorney Murray served as the Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Concord (N.H.) from 1983 to 2011.
U.S. Attorney Murray is a New Hampshire native. He was born in Rochester and grew up in Dover, graduating from Dover High School. He received his B.A. with majors in Political Science and History, cum laude, from the University of New Hampshire in 1976 and his M.P.A from UNH in 1978. In 1981, he graduated from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now known as the University of New Hampshire School of Law) receiving his juris doctor degree.