Uncategorized Archives - Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association - PDAA

PA District Attorneys List Public Safety Concerns; Offer Help in Addressing Them

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) today identified three major public safety concerns as priorities of the association, asking Governor Josh Shapiro and state lawmakers to work with district attorneys to find long-term solutions to the problems. In a letter to Governor Shapiro, PDAA President Brian Sinnett, who is the District Attorney of Adams County, and PDAA Executive Director

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PDAA Commends State Lawmakers and Governor Shapiro for Bipartisan Reform Laws

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) today commended the General Assembly and Governor Josh Shapiro for passing two laws to improve the criminal justice system that will expand the “Clean Slate Act” and reform the probation system. PDAA supported both measures and worked with state lawmakers and criminal justice organizations on the passage of these bipartisan bills. In 2018,

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PDAA Statement on the Passing of Union County District Attorney D. Peter Johnson

HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) today issued the following statement on the death of Union County District Attorney and former PDAA President D. Peter Johnson: We are saddened to hear of the passing of our colleague, D. Peter Johnson. The people of Union County will remember Pete for his professionalism in office, his dedication to crime victims,

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PDAA Appoints Kelly Callihan, a Former District Attorney, as Executive Director

HARRISBURG – The Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) today announced that Kelly Callihan, the former District Attorney of Cambria County, has been named Executive Director of the association. A career prosecutor, Kelly currently serves as PDAA’s Counsel for Policy and External Relations. “Kelly Callihan is uniquely qualified to serve as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys

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Testimony: Child Advocacy Centers help DAs prosecute child abuse cases

Cumberland County District Attorney Seán McCormack recently testified before the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, telling state lawmakers that the Child Advocacy Centers (CAC's) in Pennsylvania play a crucial role in helping prosecutors hold child abusers accountable for their crimes. "I cannot emphasize enough the importance of a child being interviewed by a specially trained child interview specialist," he said at

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PDAA commends Executive Director Greg Rowe for years of service

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) is commending Executive Director Greg Rowe for his many years of service to the association and the criminal justice system. Rowe recently announced that he is resigning as Executive Director to start a new position as Executive Director of Keystone Restituere Justice Center (KRJC), a non-profit organization headed by former Pennsylvania Secretary of

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Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett Elected PDAA President

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) today announced its elected officers for the 2023-24 business year. The election took place during the PDAA's annual business meeting. President: Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett Vice President: Clinton County District Attorney David Strouse Secretary/Treasurer: Dauphin County District Attorney Francis Chardo "I am honored to lead an association of dedicated public servants, who seek justice

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PDAA applauds Department of Health for scheduling xylazine as a controlled substance

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) is commending the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) for taking formal action to limit access to xylazine by scheduling the dangerous drug as a controlled substance. On Friday, Governor Josh Shapiro and Acting Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen announced taking action to temporarily schedule xylazine as a controlled substance. Xylazine is a powerful

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Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin Honored for Innovation in Law Enforcement

PDAA congratulates Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin, who was recently awarded the “Law Enforcement Innovation and Leadership Excellence” award by the Citizens Crime Commission of the Delaware Valley. This was the first presentation of the award at the 42nd annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day luncheon at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia.   Martin has served more than 25 years as district attorney.

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Westmoreland County DA Nicole Ziccarelli appointed to PDAI Board

HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute (PDAI) today announced that it has appointed Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli to the PDAI Board of Directors. PDAI is the educational and training arm of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. The institute was founded in 1983 for the purpose of developing and providing educational materials and training seminars for district

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