PDAA ELECTS NEW OFFICERS

Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) announced its newly elected officers for the 2017–2018 business year. The election took place during the association’s annual business meeting. The new officers are:

President:                               Hon. John T. Adams, Berks County District Attorney
Vice President:                      Hon. Richard A. Goldinger, Butler County District Attorney
Secretary Treasurer:            Hon. Raymond J. Tonkin, Pike County District Attorney

“In 2017, a District Attorney’s job encompasses much more than prosecuting criminals. When District Attorneys do good work Pennsylvania is a better place to live,” Adams said. “Law enforcement is facing many challenges right now that threaten public safety and require our attention. Fortunately this Association is filled with dedicated public servants, and I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to ensure the criminal justice system is strong and fair for everyone.”

John T. Adams has been involved with the criminal justice system for over 30 years through his service as a probation officer, assistant district attorney, defense attorney and now district attorney. He was elected District Attorney of Berks County in 2007 and reelected in 2011 and 2015. In this role, he supervises a staff of 31 attorneys, 33 detectives, 24 support staff and 2 analysts. Since assuming the role of District Attorney, Adams has built connections between municipal and state police departments and the county at large through several collaborative task forces addressing issues related to drugs and major crimes. Adams has specifically focused on the opioid crisis by leading education initiatives in the county. Additional bio information is available here.

Throughout its history, PDAA has been well known for its leadership in matters of public safety. Most recently, the Association successfully led efforts to reform civil forfeiture, update DUI laws, make strangulation a stand-alone crime to better protect victims of domestic abuse, and pass legislation governing the use of body cameras for police officers. The Association has also worked to reform Pennsylvania’s child protection laws, establish historic, first-time state funding for Children’s Advocacy Centers, create a statewide prescription drug return and disposal program to help fight back against prescription drug abuse, and administer the distribution of life-saving naloxone to municipal police departments.