Trial Division

The DAO’s Trial Division handles all criminal court proceedings in Chester County. Its 32 prosecutors include experienced litigators with diverse backgrounds, many of whom have spent their careers seeking justice for victims as committed public servants. Others are recent law school graduates who begin working in the district-level courtrooms before moving to the Court of Common Pleas.

Within the Trial Division exists two Specialty Units – Child Abuse and Drug/Organized Crime – which require prosecutors to have extensive expertise in those areas. The Specialty Units deal with complex and sensitive cases, often involving some of the most vulnerable victims of crime.

Prosecutors help victims throughout the criminal justice process by:

• Explaining the steps in the criminal justice system
• Referring victims to victim services such as:
  • Crime Victims’ Center
  • Domestic Violence Center
  • Children’s Advocacy Center

• Child Abuse
• Drug/Organized Crime