Pennsylvania District Attorney Association Elects New Officers

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) today announced its newly elected officers for the 2014-2015 business year. The election took place during the association’s annual business meeting. The new officers are:

President: Hon. D. Peter Johnson, Union County District Attorney
Vice President: Hon. Risa Vetri Ferman, Montgomery County District Attorney
Secretary-Treasurer: Hon. David Arnold, Lebanon County District Attorney

“The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association plays an important role in protecting the integrity of our profession and helping to preserve, protect and advance Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system,” said Johnson. “As president, I am firmly committed to continuing the association’s work and always adhering to the prosecutor motto to do the right thing, for the right reasons.”

Peter Johnson was first elected Union County District Attorney in 1995. As district attorney of a smaller county, Johnson created a policy that the Commonwealth would always be represented at preliminary hearings to facilitate efficient adjudications and dispositions. He also served on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules Committee. Prior to his election as district attorney, Johnson served as an assistant district attorney and conducted a general law practice as a partner in the Lewisburg firm of Matson and Johnson. Born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, Johnson first came to Union County as a law clerk for then-President Judge James McClure in August 1984. During his clerkship, Johnson was part of the creation of the Union County Victim/Witness Board. He is a graduate of the Dickinson School of Law (1984) and Gannon College (1979).

Throughout its history, PDAA has been well known for its leadership. Most recently the association successfully led efforts to: reform Pennsylvania’s child protection laws; establish historic, first-time state funding for Children’s Advocacy Centers; and create a statewide prescription drug return and disposal program to help fight back against prescription drug abuse.

About the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association: PDAA is comprised of approximately 1,000 members and is charged with providing uniformity and efficiency in the discharge of duties and functions of Pennsylvania’s 67 district attorneys and their assistants. Since it was founded in 1912, the association has dutifully sponsored extensive training programs and reported legal and legislative developments of importance to Pennsylvania prosecutors. In addition, the association is often called upon by legislative leaders, at the state and national level, to address public policy issues and efforts, which impact the prosecution of criminal cases, victim rights and public safety.