Welcome

Hello, my name is Stephen A. Zappala Jr. and I would like to welcome you to the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office.

Since 1998, I have had the privilege of serving as the District Attorney for Allegheny County and its 1.3 million residents.

As District Attorney, I am the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the county and am responsible for seeking justice on a daily basis for the citizens of this county. In addition, I am also charged with protecting the rights of our society and the individuals who make up that society. To that end, I am extremely proud of the staff of attorneys and support personnel who have been brought together to carry out what is often times a broad and complex mission.

While the challenges presented to this office are constant, so have been our accomplishments throughout the course of my administration. For the first time in the history of this office and this county, we have specialized trial units to handle crimes such as child abuse, elder abuse and domestic violence, allowing prosecutors to take a more hands on approach to these crimes.

I have worked hard to build and foster relationships with the many different elements of the criminal justice system. My relationship with the more than 100 chiefs of police who handle law enforcement in your neighborhood resulted in the creation of the Regional Support and Training Center in Homestead. This training center allows police officers and law enforcement support personnel from throughout western Pennsylvania to receive advanced training without the expense of traveling to another city. Additionally, my work with the many individuals and agencies involved with domestic violence resulted in Allegheny County becoming the first jurisdiction in this Commonwealth to afford victims of domestic violence the opportunity to apply for a protection from abuse order at many satellite locations including hospital emergency rooms.

It is because of accomplishments such as these that I am honored each and every day to represent the citizens of this county. I am confident that this office will continue to carry out its mission with the respect and enthusiasm the residents of this county deserve.

Best regards,
Stephen A. Zappala, Jr.