District Attorney of Philadelphia

District Attorney of Philadelphia
Michael Candelori · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	District Attorney of Philadelphia
Incumbent	Larry Krasner
Incumbentsince	2018
Department	Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Seat	Philadelphia City Hall
Appointer	elected
Termlength	Four years

District Attorney of Philadelphia The District Attorney of Philadelphia is the chief prosecutor for Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, responsible for criminal prosecutions within the city's jurisdiction. The office interfaces with institutions such as the Philadelphia Police Department, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and municipal actors like the Mayor of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia City Council. Historically positioned at Philadelphia City Hall, the office has been shaped by events including the Philadelphia Race Riots of 1964, the MOVE bombing, and national movements such as Black Lives Matter.

History

Philadelphia's prosecutorial office traces roots to colonial-era institutions including the Provincial Council (Pennsylvania) and legal practices influenced by the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 and subsequent state reforms. During the 19th century, figures tied to parties like the Federalist Party (United States) and the Democratic-Republican Party shaped prosecutorial priorities alongside judicial actors from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and county courts. The 20th century saw interactions with federal entities such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and responses to crises including the Great Migration's urban impact and the Prohibition era. High-profile episodes—such as prosecutions related to the MOVE bombing and corruption investigations involving the Philadelphia Parking Authority—altered public expectations and led to institutional changes influenced by commissions like the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.

Role and Responsibilities

The office prosecutes felonies and misdemeanors in coordination with law enforcement agencies including the Philadelphia Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and federal partners like the United States Department of Justice. It participates in grand jury proceedings at the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County and represents the Commonwealth in appeals before the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The District Attorney collaborates with victims' advocacy groups such as MADD and organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union when addressing matters intersecting with statutes like the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. The office also engages with policies shaped by landmark rulings from the United States Supreme Court and implements directives in line with the Department of Justice when federal civil rights issues are implicated.

Office Structure and Divisions

The Office comprises divisions including Homicide, Narcotics, Gang, Juvenile, Appeals, Special Victims, and Conviction Integrity, interacting with institutions like the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office Conviction Integrity Unit and academic partners at University of Pennsylvania Law School and Temple University Beasley School of Law. Administrative functions coordinate with the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office and municipal departments such as the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. Units liaise with federal counterparts including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service. Intern and clerk programs recruit from law schools including Rutgers Law School and Widener University Commonwealth Law School.

Election and Appointment

The District Attorney is elected in partisan elections concurrent with municipal cycles, engaging political entities such as the Democratic Party (United States), the Republican Party (United States), and local political machines historically tied to actors like the Frank Rizzo era and reform coalitions. Campaigns have involved endorsements from figures including the Mayor of Philadelphia and organizations such as the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and AFSCME District Council 47. Electoral contests have overlapped issues debated in forums like the Pennsylvania Bar Association and been litigated in tribunals such as the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania when ballot disputes arise.

Notable District Attorneys and Cases

Notable prosecutors include historical DAs linked to political figures such as Leonard Metro, reformers like Ed Rendell and modern incumbents such as Larry Krasner. The office handled landmark prosecutions and investigations involving defendants associated with incidents like the MOVE bombing, corruption cases tied to the Abscam-era inquiries, and violent-crime prosecutions connected to gangs discussed in reports by the National Gang Center. High-profile cases reached federal courts including the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and prompted interventions by the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

Reforms and Controversies

Reform efforts have included creation of Conviction Integrity units, bail and pretrial release changes influenced by rulings and advocacy from organizations like the Brennan Center for Justice and the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia as models. Controversies have touched on prosecutorial discretion in plea bargaining, interactions with oversight bodies such as the Philadelphia Board of Ethics, and criticisms mounted by civil rights advocates including the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and groups aligned with Black Lives Matter. Federal investigations and consent decree discussions have involved the Department of Justice and local stakeholders including the Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission.

Category:Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Category:Prosecution in the United States