Uncategorized Archives - Page 12 of 25 - Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association - PDAA

May
23, 2018

Pennsylvania District Attorneys Issue Best Practices on Body-Worn Cameras

Policy provides guidelines on use, procedures, storage, public release, and supervision of body-worn cameras for law enforcement. HARRISBURG, PA – Recognizing that law enforcement practices must keep up with available technology and investigative tools, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (“PDAA”) today released new guidance and a model policy to assist police departments in the use of body-worn cameras. The recommendations provide agencies

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May
3, 2018

PDAA Responds to Governor Wolf and Meek Mill call for Criminal Justice Reforms

Harrisburg, PA -- The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association President and Berks County District Attorney John Adams issued the following statement in response to a news conference today with Governor Tom Wolf and rapper Meek Mill: "Experienced leaders in Pennsylvania law enforcement have a long history of supporting earnest and responsible reforms to the criminal justice system. In fact, prosecutors have been part

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Mar
22, 2018

PDAA Support for HB 149

Dear Senate Judiciary Committee Member: I am writing to express the strong support of the PDAA for HB 149, which will be before you today. This is important legislation designed to reduce instances of witness intimidation. You are all aware of the problems associated with and prevalence of witness intimidation. One form of intimidation we have seen is the taking of pictures

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Mar
22, 2018

PDAA Support for S.B. 501

Dear Chairmen Greenleaf and Leach: I am writing to express our support for SB 501. We believe this legislation by Senator Killion will help reduce domestic violence fatalities and other serious crimes. The link between domestic violence and firearms-related crimes is, unfortunately, significant. By way of example, on November 10, 2016, Officer Scott Bashioum of the Canonsburg Police Department was fatally shot

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Mar
19, 2018

PDAA Support for Marsy’s Law (S.B. 1011)

Dear Senator: I am writing to express the support of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) for S.B. 1011. Known as Marsy’s Law, this legislation would ensure that our State Constitution protects the rights of crime victims. By elevating these rights, Pennsylvania would be taking a significant step to ensuring that victims are afforded the appropriate dignity, respect, and protections that

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Feb
23, 2018

District Attorneys from Montgomery, Lebanon and Indiana Counties Elected to Serve in PDAA Leadership Positions

Harrisburg, PA –The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) announced new members to executive board and appointments to two key leadership positions. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele was named Legislative Chair and member of the executive committee. Lebanon County District Attorney David Arnold, a past-president of the PDAA, was elected Communications Chair. Indiana County District Attorney Pat Dougherty was elected to

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Feb
23, 2018

Bucks, Clinton and Dauphin County District Attorneys Elected to PDAI Board of Directors

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute (PDAI) announced today that the District Attorneys of Bucks, Clinton and Dauphin Counties were elected to fill vacancies on its board of directors. The PDAI board approved their nominations unanimously during its winter meeting. “The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute works to ensure integrity in the work prosecutors do and truth in the justice

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Feb
5, 2018

Testimony of Fran Chardo Dauphin County District Attorney Before the Senate Judiciary Committee On HB 1952

My name is Fran Chardo, and I am the District Attorney in Dauphin County. I am pleased to be here today on behalf of my colleagues with the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association to discuss HB 1952, a vital piece of public safety legislation. HB 1952 needs to reach the Governor’s desk soon. Otherwise: the State Police may be obligated as a

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Dec
18, 2017

Unique Tool Helps Law Enforcement Solve Cases And Combat Crime

Written by Jim Martin, Lehigh County District Attorney and Julia Kocis, Director of the Lehigh County Regional Intelligence and Investigation Center (RIIC) The difficult and overwhelming realities of the opioid/heroin crisis are the subject of intense focus and concern for citizens and law enforcement. Unfortunately, it is not the first crisis situation to impact the safety and security of our communities

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Dec
8, 2017

Testimony of John Adams, Berks County District Attorney President, Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association Before the Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission Regarding Proposed Changes Regarding Fentanyl to Sentencing Guidelines

My name is John Adams, and I am the President of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and the District Attorney in Berks County. I appreciate the opportunity to appear before the Sentencing Commission today to discuss the proposed change to the Guidelines to increase the Offense Gravity Scores for drug delivery crimes involving fentanyl, an extraordinarily dangerous and deadly synthetic

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