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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Nicole
Reigelman |
State Rep. Harold James
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James introduces proposals to govern conduct of district attorneys
Two bills address standards of conduct, including altering or misstating evidence
HARRISBURG, May 29 – State Rep. Harold James, D-Phila., has introduced two pieces of legislation that would re-establish standards of conduct for district attorneys.
The first bill (H.B. 1413) would institute ethical standards for district attorneys and employees of the districts attorney’s office in Philadelphia, the only Pennsylvania county in the first-class population category. James’ second bill (H.B. 1414) would set the same standards and penalties for district attorneys in Pennsylvania’s remaining 66 counties.
The bill would impose penalties on district attorneys and their employees who commit certain violations, including failure to release information that would exonerate a person under indictment, intentionally misstating evidence or misleading a court as to a person’s guilt, or knowingly altering evidence.
Possible penalties include probation, demotion or dismissal from employment.
“I have introduced these bills in the past and they have failed to receive suitable consideration,” James said. “It is my hope that under the new leadership of Chairman Tom Caltagirone, the Judiciary Committee will take up my bill to provide this ethical governance of our state’s district attorneys.”
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