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Our Mission Statement
IT IS THE MISSION OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF LANCASTER COUNTY. AS THE COUNTY'S CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SUPPORTS VICTIMS OF CRIME, AND ENSURES THAT JUSTICE IS SERVED THROUGH THE PROSECUTION OF THOSE WHO COMMIT VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW WITHIN LANCASTER COUNTY.
General Functions
The Office of the District Attorney is composed of three main divisions: Legal, Investigative, and Victim Witness. District Attorney Craig W. Stedman, as chief law enforcement officer for Lancaster County, has oversight of all divisions.
LEGAL DIVISION
The Legal Division consists of 28 attorneys, who are appointed by the District Attorney. These attorneys have numerous responsibilities, including providing legal advice to police departments throughout Lancaster County concerning criminal investigations, assisting in the determination of appropriate criminal charges to be filed, and prosecuting criminal cases in court when the police charge a person with committing a misdemeanor or felony crime in Lancaster County. Presently, these attorneys prosecute over 5,000 criminal cases per year.
A. Trial Attorneys: Trial attorneys review police investigations, assist police in filing appropriate criminal charges, prepare cases for Preliminary Hearings at local District Justice offices, conduct Preliminary Hearings, and assume control of the criminal case once it is forwarded to the Court of Common Pleas. Once a case is sent to the Court of Common Pleas, an attorney will conduct Formal Arraignment in the Courthouse. The Assistant District Attorney assigned to the case then prepares all necessary documents involved in criminal litigation. The attorney, with the assistance of support staff, creates a file for each case, which includes criminal history information, sentencing guideline forms, and police reports. Charging documents, known as Criminal Informations, are prepared for each case. This information is distributed to counsel for the defendant through the process of discovery. A Pretrial Conference is then scheduled, at which time a defendant will indicate to the Court whether he will plead guilty to the charges or proceed to trial. A case that proceeds to trial is placed on the Trial Ready List for the following Criminal Court Term. The attorney then sends subpoenas to witnesses to appear at the date and time of the scheduled trial.
B. Appellate Attorneys: The Appellate Unit consists of two attorneys, who represent the Commonwealth at all levels of the Appellate process in both state and federal court. This Unit also supervises all Post-Conviction Relief Act proceedings, and every aspect of all federal habeas corpus litigation. Finally, the Chief of this Unit selects and supervises all Law Clerks and Legal Interns.
C. Specialized Units: In addition to the General Case Prosecution Unit, there are a number of Specialized Units in the District Attorney's Office, where prosecutors focus exclusively on the investigation and/or prosecution of specific type crimes. Those Units include the following:
Sexual Assault Unit: Three attorneys prosecute those who are charged with committing sexual assaults or crimes against young children. These attorneys work with a county detective, paralegal, and Victim/Witness Advocate, and become involved with police at the earliest stages of an investigation. Their prior approval is required before certain abuse charges may be filed. These attorneys will then follow that case through the court system.
Domestic Violence Unit: This unit is comprised of two attorneys, a county detective, a paralegal, and an Advocate. This Unit also works closely with police departments throughout the county in the investigation and prosecution of those who commit domestic violence crimes, and prosecute individuals who violate Protection From Abuse (PFA) Orders for Indirect Criminal Contempt (ICC).
Major Crimes Unit: Homicide investigations are extremely complex, and require prior approval of the District Attorney’s Office before such charges may be filed by police. When a major crime, homicide, or traffic fatality occurs anywhere in Lancaster County, these attorneys respond to the scene, assess the situation, provide legal advice, review all search/arrest warrants, and call out additional law enforcement officers from departments throughout the county to provide additional expertise and manpower when necessary. This unit also consists of one attorney who works with a gang detective and Lancaster City Police to identify and prosecute those who are connected to gang-related activity. The six attorneys in this unit, who are on call 24/7 for investigative purposes, also prosecute those case in court once charges are filed.
Gun Prosecution Unit: Pursuant to the national Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, this Unit consists of four attorneys who aggressively prosecute gun offenders in county court, and who are cross-designated as Special Assistant United States Attorneys to prosecute violent gun offenders in federal court, where more serious penalties are imposed.
Felony Drug Prosecution Unit: There are six prosecutors assigned to this unit, who are responsible for reviewing and approving all search warrants and criminal charges relating to felony drug cases. These attorneys also prosecute all felony drug cases that go to trial in the Court of Common Pleas.
D. Juvenile Court: The District Attorney’s Office also prosecutes all juveniles charged with a crime in Juvenile Court. In 2003, this office received state grant funds to create and maintain a new attorney position dedicated exclusively to the juvenile justice system, which has heightened the level of advocacy and enabled the new attorney to coordinate case-processing and sharing of information well in advance of the scheduled court hearings. This attorney presents the case to the Court for disposition if the juvenile admits to the charges. In the event the juvenile does not admit to the charge, the attorney will appear in court and present witness testimony. Additionally, this attorney is working in conjunction with Juvenile Probation and municipal police departments to establish and coordinate Youth Aid Panels throughout the county, in an effort to divert non-violent first offense juveniles from the court system. Under Youth Aid Panels, members of the community meet with the offending juvenile and devise a contract in which the youth agrees to certain conditions (i.e. community service, GED completion) in exchange for a dismissal of the charge. Nationwide statistics show that there is a very low recidivism rate for juveniles who are handled through a Youth Aid Panel.
E. Summary Appeals: An individual charged with a traffic citation or other summary offense has the right to contest that charge before the appropriate District Justice. In the event the individual is found guilty by the District Justice, they may then take a summary appeal to the Court of Common Pleas, where they would be entitled to a new hearing on the merits of the case. At this summary appeal, a prosecutor would then become involved in the case, by representing the Commonwealth and presenting testimony from the police officer filing the charge as well as any other witness to the offense.
F. Investigating Grand Jury: In September of 2000, the District Attorney of Lancaster County petitioned the Court to convene only the second Investigating Grand Jury in Lancaster County history, to investigate unsolved homicides in the county. In March of 2005, the District Attorney again petitioned the Court to empanel another Investigating Grand Jury. Several attorneys from the Legal Division have been sworn-in to conduct investigations before the Grand Jury by procuring evidence and witnesses necessary for their investigations; presenting evidence and conducting witness examinations; providing for the security of all evidence and transcripts; and preparing reports and/or presentments as requested by the Lancaster County Grand Jury.
G. ARD: The Legal Division of the District Attorney’s Office also determines whether Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) is appropriate in an offense of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or any other general crime for which an application is filed. This is accomplished primarily through the services of an ARD Coordinator, who initially screens all cases for entry into the ARD Program; determines whether the police and/or victim approve of entry into the ARD Program; prepares the necessary Court Orders for entry into the ARD Program; gives notice to all defendants of ARD Hearings; and consults with the District Attorney if there is any question on admission into the Program.
INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION
The Investigative Division is comprised of County Detectives, who are appointed by the District Attorney. These detectives handle general investigative responsibilities, more complex investigations, drug investigations, gang and firearm investigations, as well as any other specific investigation referred to the District Attorney.
A. County Detectives: These detectives investigate complaints made directly to the District Attorney, if a determination is made that the matter should not be referred to a municipal police department for further action; they assist municipal or state police officers in the conduct of criminal investigations at the request of the department; they conduct investigations and operations as part of the Domestic Violence Unit, Child Abuse/ Sexual Assault Unit, or Major Crimes Unit; they prepare exhibits in support of the Legal Division; and they review all private criminal complaints forwarded to this office from a District Justice. These detectives also conduct special investigations for the District Attorney.
Core activities include identifying, locating and obtaining written statements from witnesses; conducting forensic crime scene investigations as directed; preparing and executing approved search and arrest warrants as required; preparing written reports of all investigative activities; storing and controlling all evidence held in the District Attorney’s Office; and preparing exhibits for use at trial as requested.
B. Drug Task Force: Certain county detectives are assigned to the Lancaster County Drug Enforcement Task Force, which operates under the authority of the District Attorney. With the addition of a number of municipal police officers who are sworn-in as Special County Detectives, this Task Force concentrates exclusively on drug activity throughout Lancaster county. The Drug Task Force uses a number of different approaches and tools to investigate violations of the Drug Act, including establishing and maintaining an intelligence databank of suspected illegal drug dealers and users, maintaining and utilizing approved electronic surveillance equipment in support of investigations, coordinating drug investigations in the county with state and federal drug enforcement agencies, as well as seizing and forfeiting assets found in the possession of drug dealers.
Core activities of the Drug Task Force include selecting and training both county and municipal personnel for drug investigations; maintaining and becoming proficient in the use of electronic surveillance equipment and techniques; establishing an intelligence system that records all suspected and confirmed drug dealers; conducting undercover drug operations involving the use of both police and civilian informants; conducting surveillance operations of locations and/or individuals suspected of illegal drug activity; documenting in report form all investigative activity conducted by the task force; maintaining all property and contraband seized during drug investigations; and conducting liaison contacts with state and federal drug enforcement agencies.
C. Special Emergency Response Team (SERT): On October 17, 2001, the Lancaster County Chief’s of Police Association did vote overwhelmingly for the creation of one county wide Special Emergency Response Team, to cover any emergency situation occurring at any location in Lancaster County, with a recognition that there must be county wide coordination regarding who will respond to various emergency situations. This became very apparent after the events at Columbine High School, as well as the events of September 11, 2001. The Lancaster County SERT Team will play a crucial role in any law enforcement response to a hostage or terrorist event. This Team consists of 50 members, from 13 municipal police departments, who operate under the leadership of Lancaster City Bureau of Police Lt. James Zahm. Each member of this SERT Team was sworn in as a Special County Detective, with county wide jurisdiction to respond to an emergency situation anywhere in Lancaster County. An Advisory Board, comprised of the District Attorney and four other members, has been created to make financial decisions regarding grants, equipment purchases, and other related matters. The Advisory Board will also make recommendations to the Team Commander on changes to operational policies. This Board meets on a regular basis to analyze Team effectiveness.
VICTIM/WITNESS DIVISION
The Lancaster County Victim/Witness Services Unit ensures that victims and witnesses of crime are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect; that they are accorded those enumerated rights and services for crime victims in a manner no less vigorous than for the protections afforded a criminal defendant; and that they are fully informed regarding the criminal justice system and critical decisions made in their case.
A. Victim/Witness Advocates: These advocates orient witnesses to the criminal justice system; provide information regarding other service agencies; maintain intake records; provide notification of all significant proceedings regarding victims’ cases; provide accompaniment to court proceedings; assist victims to receive counseling where necessary; and provide notification of certain protective services as provided by law. Specific advocates are assigned to assist victims of juvenile offenders in juvenile court, victims of child abuse cases, and victims of domestic violence cases.
B. Kids Court: Lancaster County Kids’ Court (LCKC) was developed to assist children who have become unwillingly involved in the criminal justice system. These children can be re-traumatized by having to confront the accused and testify in court. It is the mission of Kids’ Court that no child should appear in court without assistance in making the experience less traumatizing. Through a cooperative effort of victim service agencies, the goal is that no child will ever have to face the system alone and unsure. Kids’ Court will educate and support children scheduled to testify, and provide assistance to parents in coping with the criminal court system.
Referrals are made by Victim/Witness Services in collaboration with the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office. Once a child and care giver have been identified, they are invited to the next session, which is held on the third Wednesday of every other month from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in a courtroom at the Lancaster County Courthouse.
C. Restitution Advocates: The Office of the District Attorney is charged with the responsibility of determining whether a victim or victims of a crime have sustained a financial loss, the amount of that loss, and the total amount of restitution owed by the defendant. This information must be collected and provided to the prosecuting attorney before the case proceeds to disposition through guilty plea or sentencing. Two Restitution Advocates, working at the direction of Victim/Witness Services, are responsible for determining this information in all criminal cases. Victims of crime who have suffered monetary loss, who have not been contacted by a member of the District Attorney’s Office, and who have not received a Victim/Witness packet that includes a restitution form for completion and return to the District Attorney’s Office, are encouraged to contact the Victim/Witness Services Restitution Advocates.
Office of District Attorney Mailing Address:
Office of the District Attorney of Lancaster County
Courthouse
50 North Duke Street
P.O. Box 83480
Lancaster, PA 17608-3480
Content Last Modified on 5/26/2009 12:59:27 PM
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