PDAA President Fran Chardo Speaks at the 2026 Crime Victims’ Rights Rally

HARRISBURG – PDAA President and Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo spoke on April 20, 2026, at the Annual Crime Victims’ Rights Rally in the State Capitol, which was hosted by the Crime Victims Alliance of Pennsylvania. This year’s theme was “Everyone Knows Someone.”

Here are his remarks:

Good morning. I have the great privilege to serve crime victims of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the District Attorney of Dauphin County and the President of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. It is my honor to stand with survivors, families, advocates, law enforcement officers, service providers, and community leaders. We are committed to serve the crime victims. We see you. We hear you. And we support you.

With 32 years as a prosecutor, I know the courage it takes for a victim to go through a case in the justice system. It takes strength to relive a traumatic event through preparation, testimony, and a long wait for disposition. The protection and support of crime victims is a core district attorney mission. We have great allies—our Victim Witness Assistance Program and Office of Victim Advocate. It is essential work. We ask for assistance from our governor and the General Assembly in funding the essential tasks. The Crime Victims Fund is no longer fully funded as it used to be through federal funds. We need to maintain this necessary victim resource through increased state funding. Without this, crime victims will not be properly served. This is needed in all classes of cases which involve victimization and loss.

But in cases which involve victims who are children or elderly, we need additional funding to ensure protection of the vulnerable. This includes expansion of support of the Child Advocacy Centers and updating the Pennsylvania Older Adults Protective Services Act. And for all crime victims, we must ensure that they are taken care of before, during, and after the case is heard in court.

Under the law, defendants have rights—but the victims do too. And we have to ensure that those rights are protected fully. I ask Governor Shapiro and the General Assembly to help us protect these victims fully. It is the right thing to do.