{"id":375985,"date":"2023-11-28T10:27:52","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T15:27:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-district-attorneys.html"},"modified":"2023-11-28T10:27:52","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T15:27:52","slug":"pennsylvania-district-attorneys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-district-attorneys.html","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania District Attorneys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Pennsylvania District Attorneys<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/eric-harvey-j-d\/\">Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            November 28, 2023\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n    <div class=\"fl-callout-text article-blockquote\">\n        <p>The district attorneys are under the Attorney General. They handle the administration of criminal law and the criminal justice system in every district or county. Underneath the district attorneys are the assistant district attorneys.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n<p>State-level&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/how-are-criminal-charges-brought-against-someone.html\">criminal charges are filed<\/a>&nbsp;by the district attorney&#8217;s (or D.A.&#8217;s) office. Typically, a district attorney handles the administration of legal matters across one or more counties in a state. Depending on the state&#8217;s procedures and laws, certain criminal charges may require an indictment from a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/how-does-a-grand-jury-work.html\">grand jury<\/a>. There is one Pennsylvania district attorney&#8217;s office for each of the state&#8217;s counties.<\/p>\r\n<p>Continue reading to learn more about Pennsylvania D.A.s and how to contact them. You&#8217;ll also encounter general information about the role of the state&#8217;s Attorney General.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Pennsylvania Attorney General&#8217;s Office<\/h2>\r\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.attorneygeneral.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pennsylvania Attorney General<\/a>&nbsp;(A.G.) represents the state as a whole in litigation. The A.G. is the state&#8217;s top prosecutor and law enforcement official. They bring criminal cases against defendants on behalf of the state.<\/p>\r\n<p>The assistant D.A.s make appearances in court and handle other matters related to bringing lawsuits against defendants.<\/p>\r\n<p>Both A.G.s and D.A.s handle many legal matters, including all offenses under the state&#8217;s criminal laws. Examples of these are:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Domestic violence<\/li>\r\n<li>Identity theft<\/li>\r\n<li>Social security and healthcare fraud<\/li>\r\n<li>Driving under the influence (DUI)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The office of the district attorney also handles expungement. Expungement is the removal of criminal offenses from a person&#8217;s criminal record.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Directory of Pennsylvania District Attorneys<\/h2>\r\n<p>Pennsylvania&#8217;s judicial districts are divided along county lines. An additional district comprises Philadelphia. Click on the corresponding link below to contact or learn more about your local D.A.&#8217;s office.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adamscountypa.gov\/departments\/districtattorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Adams County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.lackawannada.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lackawanna County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/alleghenycountyda.us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Alleghany County District Attorney<\/a>&nbsp;(Pittsburgh)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/co.lancaster.pa.us\/138\/District-Attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lancaster County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.co.armstrong.pa.us\/index.php\/departments-m\/district-attorney-m\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Armstrong County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/lawrencecountydistrictattorneysoffice.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lawrence County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beavercountypa.gov\/departments\/district-attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Beaver County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/lebanoncountypa.gov\/departments\/da\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lebanon County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bedfordcountypa.org\/courts\/district_attorney\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bedford County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.lehighcounty.org\/departments\/districtattorney\/tabid\/542\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lehigh County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blairco.org\/courts\/district-attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Blair County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.luzernecounty.org\/206\/District-Attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Luzerne County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.buckscounty.gov\/168\/District-Attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bucks County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lyco.org\/Elected-Officials\/District-Attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lycoming County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pdaa.org\/da-directory\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Butler County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mckeancountypa.org\/other_elected_officials\/district_attorney\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">McKean County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.co.cambria.pa.us\/district-attorney.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cambria County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mercercountypa.gov\/districtattorney\/default.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mercer County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cameroncountypa.com\/government\/district_attorney.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cameron County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/mifflinco.org\/district-attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mifflin County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carboncountyda.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Carbon County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/monroecountyda.com\/prosecutors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Monroe County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/centrecountypa.gov\/index.aspx?NID=366\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Centre County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.montcopa.org\/index.aspx?nid=102\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Montgomery County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chesco.org\/1441\/District-Attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chester County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.columbiamontourcourts.com\/district-attorney\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Montour County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.co.clarion.pa.us\/government\/elected_officials\/district_attorney.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clarion County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.northamptoncounty.org\/DISTAT\/Pages\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Northampton County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/clearfieldda.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clearfield County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/perryco.org\/departments\/district-attorney\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Perry County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clintoncountypa.gov\/government\/district-attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Clinton County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.phila.gov\/districtattorney\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Philadelphia City District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.columbiapa.org\/districtattorney\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Columbia County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pikepa.org\/courts___law\/district_attorney\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pike County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crawfordcountypa.net\/DistrictAttorney\/Pages\/home.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Crawford County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pottercountypa.net\/post.php?pid=27\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Potter County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ccpa.net\/index.aspx?nid=112\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cumberland County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/schuylkillcountypa.gov\/departments\/courts___legal\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Schuylkill County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pdaa.org\/da-directory\/county\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dauphin County District Attorney<\/a>&nbsp;(Harrisburg)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.snydercounty.org\/departments\/district-attorney\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Snyder County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/delcoda.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Delaware County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.co.somerset.pa.us\/department.asp?deptnum=155\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Somerset County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.co.elk.pa.us\/index.php\/government\/local-government\/county-offices\/itemlist\/category\/27-district-attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Elk County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sullivancounty-pa.us\/offices\/district-attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sullivan County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/eriecountypa.gov\/elected-officials\/district-attorney\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Erie County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/susqco.com\/departments\/district-attorney-s-office\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Susquehanna County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fayettecountypa.org\/492\/District-Attorneys-Office\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fayette County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiogacountypa.us\/departments\/district-attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tioga County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.co.forest.pa.us\/government\/district_attorney.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forest County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/unioncountypa.org\/district-attorney\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Union County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.franklincountypa.gov\/index.php?section=district-attorney_da\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Franklin County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.co.venango.pa.us\/275\/District-Attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Venango County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.co.fulton.pa.us\/district-attorney.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fulton County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/warrencountypa.gov\/1227\/District-Attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Warren County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.co.greene.pa.us\/secured\/gc2\/depts\/lo\/da\/da.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Greene County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.co.washington.pa.us\/index.aspx?nid=124\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Washington County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.huntingdoncounty.net\/departments\/district-attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Huntingdon County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/waynecountypa.gov\/441\/District-Attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wayne County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indianacountypa.gov\/departments\/district-attorney\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indiana County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.co.westmoreland.pa.us\/index.aspx?NID=304\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Westmoreland County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jeffersoncountypa.com\/district-attorney\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jefferson County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wycopa.org\/Offices\/DA\/Pages\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wyoming County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.juniataco.org\/elected-officials\/district-attorney\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Juniata County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yorkda.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">York County District Attorney<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<p><i>Note: We strive to provide the most current contact and website information available for the D.A. offices in this state. But this information is subject to change. If you have found contact or website information that is not current, please<\/i>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/contact-us\/please-select-a-topic-to-contact-us-about.html\"><i>contact us<\/i><\/a><i>.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<h2>Charged With a Crime in Pennsylvania? An Attorney Can Help<\/h2>\r\n<p>If the Pennsylvania D.A. has filed criminal charges against you, you&#8217;ll want some legal expertise on your side. A defense attorney will know how to negotiate with prosecutors and prepare you for trial if necessary. Get some peace of mind by calling an experienced&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/pennsylvania\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney<\/a>&nbsp;near you today.<\/p>\r\n<p>You still have options if you can&#8217;t afford an attorney. You could contact the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/palegalaid.net\/pennsylvania-public-defenders\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">office of the public defender<\/a>. Attorneys at the office of the public defender can provide free legal services to qualifying people. You could also contact&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/palegalaid.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Legal Aid Pennsylvania<\/a>. Attorneys with this nonprofit organization also provide free legal assistance to qualifying people. If you need referrals for attorneys, contact the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pabar.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pennsylvania State Bar Association<\/a>. They can provide free referrals. It&#8217;s important to get the legal advice that you need. Don&#8217;t do this alone. In the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, people have many options for low-cost legal advocacy services.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Complex criminal defense situations usually require a lawyer\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Defense attorneys can help protect your rights\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    A lawyer can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. Many Pennsylvania attorneys offer free consultations.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum\" title=\"Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">If you need an attorney, find one right now.<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745902396\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1.png?_i=AA\"\n                alt=\"\"\n                loading=\"lazy\"\n            \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-content fl-flex fl-flex-wrap\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-text fl-mb25\">\n            <h4 class=\"fl-no-margin\">Enter your email address to subscribe<\/h4>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <form class=\"email-subscription-content-form\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distributionList\" value=\"latl\" \/>\n            <label for=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" class=\"fl-text-sm-bold\">Email (Required)<\/label>\n            <div class=\"email-subscription-content-form-group\">\n                <input id=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" name=\"email\" autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                <button type=\"submit\" aria-label=\"Submit\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-success subscribe-success-message fl-text-sm-bold\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"status\">Thank you for subscribing!<\/p>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-error subscribe-error-message fl-text-sm-bold\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n\n            <div id=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha\" class=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha subscribe-recaptcha\"\n                data-sitekey=\"0x4AAAAAAABGBEkK9kEeKxO-\"><\/div>\n        <\/form>\n\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-footer fl-text-sm\">\n            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsletters.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/expungement.html\">\n                        Expunging Criminal Records\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges.html\">\n                        List of Criminal Charges\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-rights.html\">\n                        Rights for Suspects\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Attorney Directory<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/criminal-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Criminal Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/domestic-violence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Domestic Violence Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/drug-crime\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Drug Crime Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/dui-dwi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DUI\/DWI Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/sex-crime\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sex Offenses Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/litigation-appeals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Litigation and Appeals Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/white-collar-crimes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">White Collar Crimes Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Pennsylvania district attorney (DA) is the prosecuting officer of a criminal case. Learn about Pennsylvania&#8217;s district attorneys and how to contact them at FindLaw&#8217;s Criminal Legal Help section.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":375930,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2743],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-375985","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-state"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/375985","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=375985"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/375985\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/375930"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=375985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=375985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=375985"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=375985"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=375985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}