Frequently Asked Questions

Our office is located on the fifth floor of the courthouse. When exiting the elevator, follow the sign to the end of the hallway in the northeast corner of the building. Parking is available at any of the city parking garages or at meters on the street. Duke Street Garage is one block north of the courthouse. Penn Square Garage is one block south of the courthouse. East King Street Garage is two blocks east of the courthouse.

A subpoena is a court order for you to appear as a witness. If your child is a victim or witness and receives a subpoena, you must bring your child to court with you. You may not ignore this court order. You are required to appear at the time and place stated on the subpoena. You may receive a subpoena by mail or in person.
If you are a victim or witness to a crime, or the parent or caretaker of a child victim, you may receive a subpoena.

Bail is used to make sure the defendant will come to court. The seriousness of the offense is only one of the factors the judge considers when setting the amount of bail. The judge also considers the defendant’s employment status, family ties in the community, age, past history of court appearances, and any other factor that may indicate whether or not the defendant is likely to leave the area.

No. The assistant district attorney (ADA) represents the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in prosecuting the defendant at no cost to you throughout the entire criminal process.

It is very important that you tell the District Attorney’s Office about any changes in your address or phone number. Please call Victim / Witness Services at 717-299-8048.

The defendant’s lawyer or an investigator may contact you. You may refuse to speak with them; the decision is completely up to you. We suggest that you always know the identity of the person to whom you are speaking. If you are not sure with whom you are speaking, ask for their name and phone number and call the Victim / Witness Services at 717-299-8048 for assistance.

It is a crime for a defendant to harass, threaten, or intimidate a victim or witness in a case. It is also a crime for the defendant or another person acting on behalf of the defendant to offer you money or some other benefit to alter your testimony or drop charges. Please call the police department who brought the charges or the Victim / Witness Services at 717-299-8048 for assistance.

Yes, generally there is a jury. However, the defendant may waive (give up) his/her right to a jury trial. The defendant and his/her attorney may ask for a bench trial. If the commonwealth / assistant district attorney agrees, the judge assigned to the trial will hear all of the testimony and evidence presented and will give the verdict.

The assistant district attorney will let you know when you are excused. Although this is usually when you have completed testifying, there may be reasons why you may need to stay.

Yes, both the defense attorney and assistant district attorney can request a continuance (postponement). It will be up to the judge to decide if case should be postponed.

Yes. The defendant will be in the courtroom the entire time because he/she has the right to face the person who has accused them of a crime.

It depends; if you are going to be called as a witness, you may not be permitted to be in the courtroom when your child testifies because witnesses are not allowed to hear testimony of other witnesses. If you will not be called as a witness, it is best to talk to your child how he/she feels about you being in the courtroom. Some children want their parents to be there, others may be more comfortable if their parents wait outside.

Many times a plea agreement (disposition) is made between the assistant district attorney and the defense attorney. A plea agreement can be made anytime up to the time of trial. A plea agreement can be made for the charges to which a defendant will plead, the sentence he/she will receive, or both. The plea agreement is presented to a judge. The judge can accept or reject the plea. If the judge rejects the plea agreement, the case is still open. If the judge accepts the plea, there will not be a trial. The judge will give the defendant the sentence that is agreed to in the plea agreement.

As the victim of a crime, you have a right to give a victim impact statement to the sentencing judge. This includes giving a written or oral victim impact statement. A victim impact statement gives you an opportunity to tell about the physical, psychological, and financial effects this crime has had on you and your family.
It may be helpful to fill out a victim impact form, although you do not have to complete this form. It is up to you. However, it will help the sentencing judge to have a clear understanding of the effect this crime has had on you and your family. A copy of this form will also be given to the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney. The defendant may also read it. If you need help with this form, please call Victim / Witness Services at 717-299-8048.

View the restitution page for information on this.