OFFICE OF THE LEHIGH COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Lehigh County Courthouse
Room 307
455 W. Hamilton St.
Allentown, PA  18101-1614

Phone: 610-782-3100
Fax: 610-820-3323 

The District Attorney's Office is charged with seeking justice, deciding when criminal charges will be filed, and fairly and efficiently prosecuting individuals charged with committing adult and juvenile offenses. The District Attorney is the chief law enforcement officer of the county and works closely with all police departments in the county and state and federal law enforcement officials on investigations and crime-fighting and public safety initiatives.

All Lehigh County citizens have a stake in the prevention, investigation and prosecution of crimes. We share a vision of safe streets, neighborhoods and communities where we can live, work and raise our children. 

Unfortunately, not everyone shares that vision of safety and security in our workplaces, our homes and our schools.  That security can be shaken by familiar crimes of violence and newer crimes committed by defendants who misuse and abuse constantly changing technology. Weapons no longer are solely firearms, knives and, in cases of driving under the influence of alcohol, vehicles. Defendants have turned lawful devices, such as cell phones and computers, into new weapons that are used to steal personal information, peace of mind, and childhood innocence when child pornography is distributed.

Task Forces within the District Attorney’s Office have been created to investigate specific crimes. Law enforcement officers in the Task Forces have specialized training in conducting homicide, drug, auto theft and insurance fraud investigations. Other detectives specialize in child abuse and domestic violence cases. A Task Force formed in 2011 investigates crimes committed with computers and other electronic devices.

Assistant district attorneys in the office also have extensive experience in prosecuting a variety of crimes. They have knowledge of specific areas of the law, including cases involving child abuse and special victims, vehicular homicide and drunk driving, domestic violence and juvenile crimes. One attorney who is experienced in appeals works exclusively on cases when defendants challenge convictions and sentences. 

In August 2009, the Fifth Investigating Grand Jury was sworn in, and in August 2011, a Sixth Grand Jury was empaneled to hear testimony in many difficult cases, some of which are cold cases.

In addition to prosecuting adult and juvenile criminal cases, the office handles summary offense appeals, private complaints, forfeitures, and probation and parole violation cases. 

Statistics show the magnitude of the number of cases that are handled by the office. In 2010, the total number of adult cases disposed (inactive cases excluded) was 4,783, of which 4,668 resulted in convictions or tantamount resolutions – a conviction rate of 97.6 percent.

In 2010, there were 1,346 juvenile cases, which included 176 pending from the previous year and 1,170 new cases.  That same year, 1,145 juvenile cases were processed by judges or juvenile masters. 

We participate in many community-oriented events, such as Senior Fest, and attend community fairs to distribute educational literature and to speak about the dangers of drug use. We also give sexting presentations to schools to warn high school students about the consequences of their actions in this time of perpetually changing technology and social networking.

In October 2011, members of the District Attorney’s Office and other court-related offices launched a Veterans’ Mentor Program. The program, which was modeled after similar programs around the state and country, pairs veterans who are defendants in the criminal justice system with veterans in the community who serve as volunteer mentors.

The program is designed to help veterans to identify problems they have and to help them to obtain the services they need. As of February 2012, the program had 18 trained mentors, many of whom have been working with defendants. Although the program is in its infancy, the feedback from mentors and defendants has been very positive.

The program is a cooperative effort of members of the District Attorney’s Office and officials in Adult Probation, Pre-Trial Services, the County Prison, Public Defender’s Office, Veterans Affairs Office,  County Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health-Intellectual Disabilities. All have been working with veterans’ agencies to help veterans get necessary treatment so they can rejoin their families and their communities.

The office is leading an effort to develop a Regional Crime Center in Allentown where local, state and federal databases can be shared with police officers in the field and the 17 police departments in the county.

The office has not only responded to crime but has taken an active role in anticipating future needs of the community and law enforcement personnel.

My efforts and those of the dedicated individuals in the office are directed toward a common goal – working together to make Lehigh County a safer place to live, work and play. 

JAMES B. MARTIN, District Attorney