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. The oath we took as District Attorneys demands
Read full post hereHarrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association today released the following statement in response to Governor Tom Wolf’s executive order to release up to 1,800 inmates in the state prisons to stop COVID-19 spread: “District Attorneys throughout Pennsylvania have taken action to responsibly address the health risks of COVID-19 in jails, prisons and youth centers. The health issues presented by COVID-19
Read full post hereCategorical release of juveniles is not in the best interest of either the juveniles or the community, PDAA tells Supreme Court. HARRISBURG, PA – In response to the health issues presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, individual district attorneys are actively engaged with local stakeholders to limit and decrease local juvenile populations at youth centers, placement centers and detention facilities across the
Read full post hereHARRISBURG, PA – At the request of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) today submitted a response to a petition the ACLU filed Monday, March 30, 2020 seeking broad, categorial release of inmates in county jails across the Commonwealth. Noting that judges, district attorneys, defense bar and corrections officials are currently working together to responsibly address the
Read full post hereHARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) today issued the following statement in response to the ACLU of Pennsylvania’s King’s Bench petition related to county jail populations during the COVID-19 pandemic: “We appreciate the unique situation correctional facilities are in as a result of COVID-19. By no means is this an ideal situation. Any strategy to decrease population in a
Read full post hereMary Kate Kohler and AJ Garabedian, Deputy District Attorneys Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and Greg Rowe Director of Legislation and Policy Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association Good morning Chairmen Day and Samuelson, and members of the Aging and Older Services Committee. Thank you for the opportunity for the three of us to appear before you this morning. Let us first introduce ourselves. We are: Mary Kate Kohler,
Read full post hereHARRISBURG, PA – Guidelines on how to disclose possible credibility issues involving law enforcement officers -- intended to ensure prosecutorial and investigative integrity -- were issued today by the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA). Released by PDAA’s Best Practices Committee, the guidelines provide clear recommendations for district attorneys and law enforcement. They cover the disclosure of any evidence that could call
Read full post hereLegislation criminalizes the misuse of power to demand sexual acts, images or videos in social media and the internet HARRISBURG, PA -- A bipartisan bill to make sexual extortion illegal in Pennsylvania is headed to the governor’s desk to become law. House Bill 1402 was approved by both the state Senate and House this week unanimously in response to the
Read full post hereHARRISBURG, PA -- The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) issued the following statement in response to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) most recent attack on victims of crime and public safety in the report More Law, Less Justice: “The ACLU’s persistent and tired tactic of ignoring crime victims and public safety to advance its goal of eroding confidence in prosecutors
Read full post herePhiladelphia, PA – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) today issued the statement below in reaction to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s order denying relief to Petitioners Cox and Marinelli in their applications for extraordinary King’s Bench relief. The petitioners challenged the constitutionality of the death penalty as it is applied in Pennsylvania based largely on the 2018 joint state government
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