Child Advocacy Centers help District Attorneys Prosecute Child Abuse
PDAA Blog
Seàn McCormack, District Attorney of Cumberland County, testified before a Senate hearing on the importance of Child Advocacy Centers in Pennsylvania.
PA Prosecutors Keep Older Pennsylvanians Safe from Abuse
PDAA Blog
Kelly Callihan, PDAA Counsel for Policy and External Relations, writes about the many ways district attorneys are working to keep older Pennsylvanians safe in their homes from scams, abuse and crime.
Prosecutors in Pennsylvania: Doing the Right Thing for the Right Reason
PDAA Blog
Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Edward McCann Jr. discusses the reasons PDAA puts so much emphasis on Ethics Training for prosecutors.
Governor Wolf Signs Fentanyl Test Strip Bill into Law
PDAA News
The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) today commended Governor Wolf and state legislators for a new state law that ensures the lawful use of fentanyl test strips to detect the presence of the deadly drug. “We support this legislation for one simple reason: It will literally save lives,” Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo told lawmakers.
Tender Years Bill Seeks Justice for Young Victims
PDAA Blog
As the Pennsylvania legislature finished the budget, it also passed HB 156, legislation which will help younger teenagers testify against their accusers, especially in cases of sexual and other forms of violence, including human trafficking. This legislation recognizes the trauma that young victims of crime often suffer and how that trauma makes testimony difficult.
Celebrating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
PDAA Blog
As the voice of Pennsylvania’s prosecutors, the PDAA is pleased to partner with the victim services community to celebrate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 18-24, 2021). The purpose of this celebration resonates with prosecutors in particular because serving victims of crime, and ensuring their rights, is at the core of what we do. As long as there are offenders creating victims, we will continue fighting to make sure that the victims are treated with the dignity, fairness and respect they deserve.
Prosecutors are building bridges between the community and law enforcement
PDAA Blog
The unprecedented events of 2020 amplified a loss of trust and confidence in our criminal justice system felt deeply by some minority communities. Trust must be restored, and in criminal justice, the District Attorney and the district attorney’s office has a large role to play in that process.
2020: A year of dedication, resilience and innovation
PDAA Blog
As 2020 comes to a close (finally!), we turn a cautious but hopeful eye towards 2021. While much has been lost to the pandemic, PDAA President and Snyder County District Attorney Mike Piecuch takes a moment to focus on the positive.
Every Prosecutor has a Story
PDAA Blog
On any given day, prosecutors assist police at crime scenes, hold the hands of victims, interview witnesses, negotiate with defense attorneys, and try cases in court. They engage with their communities by visiting schools and senior centers and service clubs and more. So we know what they do, but WHY do they do it?
‘At first, it made me feel defensive:’ How Bucks County’s DA is confronting racism with local police
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Conversations about race and policing in Bucks County, which sharpened after the murder of George Floyd in May, gained more momentum after other high-profile deaths nationwide. These are challenging conversations, but we must prioritize them to find common understanding between our communities and the police officers who serve them. Here in Bucks County, we have been bringing people together on this issue since January in ways that have already had positive impact.
District Attorney: Berks keeps justice system moving during the pandemic
Reading Eagle
When the state ordered everything closed, the criminal justice system faced its own unique issues. There were no more in-person hearings. Jury trials were suspended. Crowded work offices were cleared out and judges, attorneys and staff began to telework. Yet, crime didn’t stop and the clock on prosecutions was still ticking.
PDAA commits to being a part of holistic and meaningful change
Statement by the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association
We stand united with all who have condemned the heinous actions that led to the killing of George Floyd. We wholeheartedly echo the statement of the National District Attorneys Association of May 31. Racism and bias – whether explicit or implicit – must be eliminated. We have an important role to play in eliminating them.
Police face even more peril during pandemic
Scranton Sunday Times-Tribune, republished on PDAA blog
In the age of COVID-19, law enforcement officers face even more danger and uncertainty as an unseen assailant – the novel coronavirus – lurks in the background of every call, every traffic stop and every encounter with the public. As we observe National Police Week, we recognize our brave men and women in blue who report for duty day in and day out to keep our communities safe.
Recognition of and appreciation for our Correctional Officers
PDAA blog
Corrections officers patrol the toughest blocks in the country. Now they are tasked as public health officials ensuring that social distancing, cleaning, and other preventative measures are implemented—not for their own well-being—but for the health and safety of the inmates entrusted to their care.
Pandemic Causes Special Concerns for Children
WESB News
The “Stay at Home” Order is expected to “flatten the curve” but it requires us to call on the community to be vigilant about child abuse.
Stefanie Salavantis: The enemy within the home
Times Leader
While many of us are hunkered down at home to protect ourselves from coronavirus, there are many more people —including children — who are trapped at home and terrified that their next step up the stairs, down the hallway or the next word spoken will result in an unprovoked attack from the abuser living among them.
Amidst Pandemic Emergency, PA District Attorneys Keep Going
PDAA Blog
A prosecutor’s work does not stop because of a global pandemic. Rather, DAs and their staffs are adjusting to this unprecedented situation to ensure that crimes are investigated, rights are protected, and justice is served.
Commutation discussion must be honest, frank
Meadville Tribune
Granting a commutation is a decision that can significantly reduce or even eliminate the criminal penalties of the most serious and violent offenders. When considered and done correctly, a commutation can be appropriate and fair. When done incorrectly, it can have very negative consequences.
PDAA Supports Meaningful Changes to Pennsylvania’s Probation System
PDAA Blog
Meaningful improvements to our county probation system can and should be made through the legislative process. Our goal is a better probation system without unintended consequences, such as reduced public safety, reductions in collected restitution, or increased incarceration.
Modern Day District Attorneys Do More Than You Think
PDAA Blog
Public safety and community engagement are critical parts of 21st Century prosecutor’s job.
Cutting Through the Noise: How a Prosecutor Actually Handles Non-Violent Drug Cases
PDAA Blog
There are some who would like to perpetuate the myth that our jails are filled with non-violent drug offenders. This is simply not the case.
Examining the question of legalizing recreational marijuana
PDAA Blog
The research on the effects of using marijuana and the experience of other states that have already legalized marijuana demonstrate the deleterious consequences that legalizing marijuana will have.
Berks DA: Prevent crime in future by investing in schools now
Reading Eagle
John T. Adams argues it's better to spend on education today than prisons tomorrow.
Lebanon County DA: I enjoy helping people
Lebanon Daily News
When asked what I enjoy most about being district attorney, my response of “I enjoy helping people” surprises some. It shouldn’t.
Bucks County DA: Opioid statistics don’t tell full story of progress
The Philadelphia Inquirer
As of 2016, Pennsylvania’s opioid prescription rates dropped from sixth in the country all the way down to 26th.
Lawmakers should stand with victims and support ‘Marsy’s Law’
PennLive
To help victims, our office has a dedicated Victim Witness Unit that is staffed by very caring people who work with victims, their families and witnesses.
Their view: The 21st Century Prosecutor
Times Leader
When I ask people what they believe the role of district attorney is, most respond “to lock people up.”