A new diversionary program aimed at giving certain nonviolent defendants in Philadelphia a second chance at life is now underway at the District Attorney’s Office. This innovative alternative-to-incarceration program is called The Choice is Yours (TCY) and it offers nonviolent felony drug offenders a chance to avoid prison sentences and instead receive education and workforce training, along with social services and supports. The primary aim of TCY is to reduce recidivism—without compromising public safety—and help chart a path to more successful and productive futures for participants.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board presents District Attorney Seth Williams with a check for 150 thousand dollars to investigate and prosecute illegal gambling activity in Philadelphia. The money is from the Board’s Local Law Enforcement Grant and will be used for the salaries of members of the District Attorney’s Gaming Control Task Force.

We are pleased to announce the District Attorney’s Office is now utilizing the social networking site Twitter. This is part of our continued effort to provide as much information as possible to our constituents in a timely fashion. Our Twitter account is @Philly_DAsOfc if you would like to follow us.

Our 2011 summer 2L, 1L and undergraduate interns combined to work more than 38,000 hours in all units of the District Attorney’s Office this past summer. Our certified second-year interns tried their own cases in Municipal or Family Court under the guidance of veteran prosecutors. Our first-year and undergraduate interns performed meaningful work assisting paralegals and assistant district attorneys in various areas of the Office. All of our student interns gained valuable exposure to criminal case prosecution and helped to make Philadelphia a better and safer place. Please visit the Career Opportunity section of our website if you are interested in serving as an intern.

As the new District Attorney, I am committed to serving all of the people of Philadelphia fairly and ethically. I will strive to make the public safer, and ensure that crime victims are treated with dignity and respect. I pledge that the hard-working men and women of the District Attorney's Office, alongside our many community partners, will be "smart on crime"--conserving our tax dollars while seeking justice for all. I am grateful to serve you as District Attorney and I look forward to advancing the great cause of justice.
R. Seth Williams

District Attorney Seth Williams announces the opening of three Community Action Centers (CAC) in the City of Philadelphia. One center is located in Northern Liberties at the Piazza at Schmidt’s. The second CAC is in the Northwest section of the city at 7175 Ogontz Avenue, and the third at 640 N. Broad Street. These CACs will be the first of a number of centers that will be opened across Philadelphia. The District Attorney believes CACs are a small step to develop important community relationships. “By opening these Centers across the city we are giving all Philadelphians the opportunity to help us fight crime,” says District Attorney Seth Williams. “This is a chance for residents to empower themselves with information and invaluable advice to make Philadelphia a safer place to live.”

District Attorney Seth Williams meets with community members all across the city to build the lines of communication that are essential for fighting crime in Philadelphia. The DA along with officers for the Philadelphia Police Department, and members of the DA’s office Victim Services and Community Outreach programs answered questions and concerns from residents. They hope to begin a long lasting dialog and connection with the community. “I have one motto for these meetings. We can do better. We must do better. We deserve better,” says District Attorney Seth Williams. “I want to hear from everyone because the only way we can bring change is by listening and trusting one another.”

District Attorney Seth Williams joined students, clergy members, business people and local residents as they marched down Broad Street on Monday afternoon. The group of several hundred people paid tribute to the work of Martin Luther King Jr., while also drawing attention to the changes that still need to be done ... MORE »