When the police charge a person with committing a crime any where in the County, the District Attorney's (D.A.) Office prosecutes misdemeanors or felonies. Because the criminal caseload is well over 3,000 cases a year, currently the District Attorney has 12 prosecuting attorneys to assist in handling these cases. those Assistant D.A.s are appointed by the District Attorney. Additional Assistant D.A.'s are appointed to prosecute Juvenile Court cases to handle appeals.

The District Attorney's Office also gives legal advice to police departments concerning criminal investigations before charges are filed. In addition to attorneys, there are also County detectives in this Office who conduct special investigations for the District Attorney and other detectives who are assigned to the Drug Task Force.

The District Attorney also chairs the Victim Policy Board, which gives guidance to the Victim/Witness Services Unit of the D.A.'s Office. That program orients witnesses to the criminal justice system and assists victims of crime to receive counseling services and reimbursement for crime-related injuries, and to receive the benefit of certain protective services as provided by law.

Note:The District Attorney is elected to this office for a term of four years

District Attorney

Don Totaro , District Attorney, Elected
(717) 299-8100

Mailing Address :

County of Lancaster
District Attorney's Office
50 N. Duke St
P.O. Box 83480
Lancaster, Pa. 17608-3480