SDNY

SDNY is the abbreviation for the Southern District of New York and is used in US law to denote both the federal prosecutor's office (the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York) and the corresponding federal district court, covering Manhattan, the Bronx and several surrounding counties in the state of New York. In true crime contexts and crime journalism, SDNY almost always refers to the prosecution authority — that is, the federal prosecutors who investigate and prosecute cases within the district's geographic area. These are the prosecutors who bring charges, present evidence and appear in court on behalf of the United States federal government.

SDNY is particularly known for handling complex and politically sensitive cases, including organised crime, corruption, financial fraud and violations of federal statutes such as the Mann Act. The office's location in Manhattan makes it a natural focal point for cases connected to the country's financial and cultural centre. In the Sean Combs case, it is SDNY prosecutors who have brought the charges and are conducting the case before the federal court in New York.

Cases at SDNY are handled under federal rules and procedures, which distinguishes them from cases before the New York state courts. A conviction in a federal case results in imprisonment in a federal prison and is subject to federal sentencing guidelines.