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Life-saving PFA Firearms Bill Backed by PDAA Passes the House

Sep 26, 2018

The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association congratulates the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for overwhelmingly passing legislation that will disarm domestic abusers. In a bipartisan vote today, the House approved legislation by Representative Marguerite Quinn (R-143) H.B. 2060, which will require the surrender of firearms belonging to those whom final protection from abuse orders have been ordered. The bill will also limit the numbers of third parties that can store the firearms belonging to such abusers.

“HB 2060 will quite literally save the lives of victims of domestic violence, as well as law enforcement officials who respond to domestic disturbances,” said Richard Goldinger, President of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and Butler County District Attorney. “We need to de-escalate domestic violence situations to help save lives.”

According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in 2017 of the more than 100 women, men and children who lost their lives to domestic violence in Pennsylvania, two-thirds were fatally shot. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, domestic disputes are the number one circumstance for firearms-related officer deaths.

The bill will now move to the Senate, which has already passed similar legislation sponsored by Senator Tom Killion (R-9).

Jul
13, 2018

PDAA STATEMENT REGARDING RELEASE OF CATHOLIC DIOCESES GRAND JURY REPORT

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court should permit the Office of Attorney General to release the grand jury report on several Catholic dioceses without undue delay in accordance with the law.  Relatedly, we are troubled about attempts to fundamentally alter and undermine Pennsylvania’s grand jury process. Grand juries serve an important investigative purpose and, in the past, have exposed institutional and governmental

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Jul
11, 2018

LEBANON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY ELECTED PRESIDENT TO THE PA DISTRICT ATTORNEYS INSTITUTE

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute (PDAI) announced today that Lebanon County District Attorney David J. Arnold has been elected president to lead the organization during the 2018–2019 business year. The election took place during the institution’s annual business meeting. The new officers are: President:                  Hon. David J. Arnold, Jr., Lebanon County District Attorney Vice President:         Hon. John T. Adams, Berks

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Jul
11, 2018

BUTLER COUNTY DA RICHARD A. GOLDINGER ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION

  Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) announced its newly elected officers for the 2018–2019 business year. The election took place during the Association’s annual business meeting. The new officers are: President:                  Hon. Richard A. Goldinger, Butler County District Attorney Vice President:        Hon. Raymond J. Tonkin, Pike County District Attorney Secretary/Treasurer:  Hon. Michael Piecuch, Snyder County District Attorney “Prosecutors are committed

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Jul
2, 2018

Pennsylvania Prosecutors Issue Response to Joint State Government Report on the Death Penalty

HARRISBURG, PA − Pennsylvania’s prosecutors today said the long-overdue report by the Joint State Government Commission on the death penalty covers little new ground and glosses over important findings that fail to fit the narrative that death penalty opponents had hoped would be revealed. PDAA’s complete response to the Report may be found here. “The report couldn’t produce the system-wide indictment death penalty

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Jul
2, 2018

Response to the Joint State Government Commission’s Report on Capital Punishment in Pennsylvania: The Report of the Task Force and Advisory Committee

I. OVERVIEW Nearly seven years ago, the Pennsylvania Senate passed a Resolution tasking the Joint State Government Commission of the General Assembly with the responsibility of examining capital punishment in Pennsylvania. Individuals were selected as Advisory Committee Members and over the years worked to develop a report. The Advisory Committee was made up largely of death penalty opponents. The Senate Resolution

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Jun
25, 2018

PDAA ISSUES INITIAL STATEMENT ON LONG-OVERDUE DEATH PENALTY REPORT

Absent broad perspective, intellectual honesty and concept of balanced justice, PA District Attorneys say report on capital punishment will carry no weight. HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) today provided a first response to a long-overdue report on the death penalty issued by a panel largely comprised of anti-death penalty advocates.  PDAA President John T. Adams said the

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Jun
6, 2018

PDAA Support Letter for HB 2321, 2324, and 2325

June 4, 2018 Dear House Judiciary Committee Member: I am writing to highlight three important pieces of legislation that will be before you in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. HB 2321 by Representative Bloom, HB 2324 by Representative Barbin, and HB 2325 by Representative Everett are designed to help our most vulnerable testify in court when they have been victims of

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Jun
4, 2018

VICTIM-FOCUSED CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPROVEMENTS EXPECTED TO MOVE THIS WEEK

HARRISBURG, PA – Pennsylvania’s prosecutors say they need new tools to help victims of crime and hold perpetrators of economic crimes accountable. This week, the Judiciary Committees in both the state House and Senate will consider several bills designed to address shortcomings in the law to help better protect the most vulnerable victims of crime in the criminal justice process, ensure

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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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