Michael Barrett graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a B.A. in Political Science, then enlisted in the Army and studied Arabic at the United States Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. He went on to learn interrogation techniques at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, then spent a year working international drug cases with the F.B.I. in Chicago and Puerto Rico. Michael later graduated from Southern Illinois School of Law, where he played rugby and served as Commentary Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Legal Medicine.
Since being admitted to the New York Bar in 2003, Michael has held several different positions in criminal justice. He began in the public defender’s office, then joined the staff of the New York State Assembly where he drafted and negotiated bills to amend the state’s criminal laws. Currently, Michael serves on the executive staff of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services where he provides counsel on effective criminal justice policy for the State.
In his spare time, Michael volunteers with the U.S. Committee on Refugees and Immigrants, teaching English and mentoring families who come to the U.S. from the Middle East. He lives in Saratoga County, New York, with his wife and son.