Marian T. Ryan

Ryan describes herself as an outspoken advocate for criminal justice reform. Under her leadership the Middlesex DA's office created a juvenile and young adult diversion program, a drug diversion option, a restorative justice initiative, and a Conviction Integrity Unit, and stopped requesting cash bail in low-level non-violent offenses to avoid pretrial detention.

“an outspoken advocate for criminal justice reform... Under her leadership, the Office implemented the practice of not requesting cash bail in low-level non-violent offenses to avoid the impact of pretrial detention.”

marianryan.org·As of August 2026

Ryan highlights her leadership in domestic violence prevention and prosecution, training prosecutors, police officers and service providers, and bringing the 'Cut it Out' program to Middlesex County to educate salon professionals and personal care providers to recognize signs of domestic abuse in clients.

“Marian has been a leader in domestic violence prevention and prosecution. She has conducted trainings for prosecutors, police officers and service providers to help them confront the unique challenges posed by domestic violence.”

marianryan.org·As of September 2026

Ryan highlights her prosecution of elder physical and financial abuse as chief of the DA's Elder and Disabled Unit and her ongoing work protecting seniors from scams, cyberfraud, and opioid-related risks.

“Marian served for many years as the Chief of the District Attorney's Office's Elder and Disabled Unit, where she prosecuted crimes involving physical and financial abuse of some of the Commonwealth's most vulnerable victims.”

marianryan.org·As of August 2026

Won a lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to prevent them from taking defendants during court proceedings and supports the Massachusetts PROTECT Act, which prevents ICE from entering schools, courthouses and hospitals.

“Ryan also noted her work serving immigrant communities, noting that in 2019 she won a lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to prevent them from taking defendants during court proceedings. Ryan said she also supports the recently passed Massachusetts PROTECT Act, which prevents ICE from entering schools, courthouses and hospitals.”

walthamtimes.org·As of August 2026

Ryan says protecting public safety is the core mission of the district attorney's office, and cites independent rankings placing Middlesex among the safest large counties as evidence her approach is working.

“The core mission - the reason there is a DA's office - is because we have to protect public safety, and I'm doing that.”

figcitynews.com·As of August 2026

Ryan has made defending the rule of law and responding to the Trump administration a central part of her campaign, citing her office's legal challenges to immigration enforcement, including the 2018 federal case Ryan v. ICE that won an injunction keeping ICE out of courtrooms.

“In 2018, I filed the federal case Ryan v. ICE, which was the first case in the country to successfully get an injunction to keep ICE out of the courtroom.”

figcitynews.com·As of August 2026