By Jessica Dye

NEW YORK, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice has announced she will be seeking a third term this fall as the county's top prosecutor.

Rice, a Democrat who was first elected in 2005, when she ousted 31-year incumbent Denis Dillon, announced her re-election bid in an email from her campaign on Thursday.

"While our strides have been bold and our progress steady, I believe I have more to contribute to an office that we all rely upon to protect our families and to ensure the integrity of the criminal justice system," she said in the email.

Rice touted her accomplishments since 2005, saying she has focused on impaired-driving crimes, public corruption and cyber predators. She also cited a widely publicized investigation into allegations of cheating on college entrance tests in 2011 that led to a series of convictions and changes in national exam procedures.

Rice said her top priorities for a third term would be violent and cyber crime, as well as theft or fraud in public funds. She also said she planned to lobby state and federal lawmakers for "sensible" gun control laws and to advocate for local and state reform of the juvenile justice system.

To date, Rice remains unopposed. The general election will be held in November.

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