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Michael "Mike" A. Cutter is an Executive Assistant District Attorney working for District Attorney Jack McCoy. He later becomes Bureau Chief A.D.A. of the Special Victims Bureau, a position that was eventually taken by Vanessa Hadid.

History[]

Cutter, like his predecessor Jack McCoy, is willing to bend the rules to prosecute and convict criminals. In one episode, he nearly commits perjury to allow Detectives Ed Green and Cyrus Lupo to search a store where a victim is hidden. (L&O: "Darkness") Cutter is willing to use questionable methods to procure guilty charges, such as using a juror's infatuation with Connie Rubirosa to find a guilty plea. (L&O: "Tango")

Cutter relies heavily on his Blackberry and even uses it to look up statutes.

He works closely with Connie Rubirosa, the Assistant District Attorney who had previously aided McCoy. Because of this, he has occasionally discussed McCoy with her — usually with complaints — in an attempt to understand his new boss. As evidenced by his first appearance, he is familiar with former District Attorney Arthur Branch, having apparently been in Branch's office on at least one occasion.

Cutter's former Hudson University law professor raises an issue regarding Cutter's qualification to practice law. Although he did the required undergraduate work, a few college credits were not recorded into his academic record. As a result of the missing credits, Cutter never received an undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Despite the lack of an undergraduate degree, he attended and graduated from law school; however, he "perpetuated" the oversight to the Bar Overseers by misrepresenting to them that he had received a BA and was admitted to the New York State Bar. He made the same misrepresentation when he applied for a position with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. At the end of the episode, he received a letter of reprimand from the Bar Overseers which also stated that the flaw in his academic background did not prejudice his past convictions. The letter would be published in the Law Journal the next day, and he was able to retain his law license. (L&O: "Innocence")

After Rubirosa left the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, her new boss Jonah Dekker paid a visit to Cutter, and her work became a topic of conversation. (LA: "Hayden Tract")

Bureau Chief ADA of the Sex Crimes Bureau[]

Sometime in 2011, he is made the Bureau Chief ADA of the Sex Crimes Bureau by McCoy's replacement. (SVU: "Scorched Earth") During that time, he oversaw ADAs Alexandra Cabot and Casey Novak, while his original position was taken by David Haden. (SVU: "Official Story")

By 2019, Cutter was no longer Bureau Chief, and the position was eventually taken by Vanessa Hadid. (SVU: "I'm Going To Make You a Star")

Personal life[]

Cutter is pro-life. ("Dignity")

In "By Perjury", he is almost murdered in the bathroom of a courthouse. Cutter is saved by Lupo and Bernard who noticed the suspicious behavior of Cutter's attacker and intervened in time to save him. Earlier in the episode, Cutter and Lupo had clashed over Lupo's actions during the case when he viewed files without a court order when Lupo, a law student, should've known better.

In "For the Defense", Cutter indicates that he harbors romantic feelings for Connie Rubirosa. McCoy, despite experiencing controversy due to his own relationships with various former A.D.A.s (including the now deceased Claire Kincaid), appears to be supportive of Cutter's aspirations. At the end of the episode, it is hinted that she is aware of his attraction, but her own feelings are unknown.

In "Brazil", Cutter mentions that when he was 10 years old his parents divorced and he has had very little contact with his father since.

In "Zero" is hinted that he possesses a romantic involvement with the judge's clerk, Carly. Even though, Cutter never mentions nothing like that, Carly admits she likes him.

In "Immortal" he and Lieutenant Van Buren have an argument because of Cutter's actions while she was testifying. At the end of the episode, they are on non-speaking terms. They have reconciled by 20.23 "Rubber Room" and even share a hug following Van Buren's announcement of her engagement.

Appearances[]


Icon L&O Law & Order - Main Characters
Law

Senior Detectives: Max GreeveyPhil CerretaLennie BriscoeJoe FontanaEd GreenCyrus LupoKevin BernardFrank CosgroveJalen Shaw

Junior Detectives: Mike LoganRey CurtisEd GreenNick FalcoNina CassadyCyrus LupoKevin BernardFrank CosgroveJalen ShawVincent Riley

Commanding Officers: Captain Donald Cragen • Lieutenant Anita Van Buren • Lieutenant Kate Dixon

Order

Executive Assistant District Attorneys: Benjamin StoneJack McCoyMichael CutterNolan Price

Assistant District Attorneys: Paul RobinetteClaire KincaidJamie RossAbbie CarmichaelSerena SoutherlynAlexandra BorgiaConnie RubirosaSamantha Maroun

District Attorneys: Adam SchiffNora LewinArthur BranchJack McCoyNicholas Baxter

Others

Elizabeth OlivetAlfred Wentworth

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