| Risa Vetri Ferman | |
|---|---|
| District Attorney of Montgomery County |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2008[1] |
|
| Preceded by | Bruce Castor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 5, 1965 |
| Political party | Republican Party |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania |
| Profession | Attorney |
Risa Vetri Ferman (born April 5, 1965) is an American lawyer and the elected District Attorney in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
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Born in Philadelphia and raised in Abington Township, Montgomery County, Risa Vetri Ferman is a lifelong resident of southeast Pennsylvania. After graduating from Abington High School, Ferman attended the University of Pennsylvania and later Widener University School of Law where she earned a law degree in less than three years. [2]
Beginning in 1993, Ferman worked as a prosecutor in the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. She quickly rose through the ranks to become Captain of the Sex Crimes Team. She has specialized in the prosecution of homicide, child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence cases.[3]
Ferman served as a Deputy District Attorney where she managed the two major divisions of the DA’s Office responsible for the training of all new Assistant District Attorneys as well as the supervision of seven trial units including narcotics, major crimes, economic crimes, sex crimes/child abuse, domestic violence, grand jury and quality of life crimes. In 2002, Ferman was selected by Bruce Castor to serve as First Assistant District Attorney, the second in command to the entire District Attorney’s Office and County Detective Bureau. Ferman oversaw all homicide investigations while maintaining a personal caseload of serious crimes she would prosecute herself.[4]
Ferman was elected to the position in November 2007, after working for 15 years as a courtroom prosecutor. She is first female DA in Montgomery County history, and received the highest vote count of any candidate on the ballot in 2007.[5]
Since her election, Ferman established the Elder Abuse Unit to target criminals who prey upon senior citizens. She founded Mission Kids, Montgomery County’s first child advocacy program aimed at easing the criminal justice process for victims of child abuse. She is also the co-founder of Montgomery County Child Advocacy Project which provides pro-bono legal services to abused children.[6]
Ferman spearheaded numerous crime prevention and community education programs throughout Montgomery County. She created new initiatives targeting gangs, gun violence, and government corruption, and launched a partnership with local schools to focus on truancy abatement, violence prevention, teen driving safety and prescription drug awareness programs.
She has worked with the Courts and the Criminal Justice Advisory Board to develop diversionary programs for first-time, non-violent offenders. She supported Drug Court, Behavioral Health Court, and is currently working to create a Veterans’ Court.
Under her leadership, the District Attorney’s office has achieved a 98% conviction rate; one of the highest rates in Pennsylvania.
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania selected her as Chair of the Criminal Procedural Rules Committee.[7] She was selected by her peers to serve on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association and by legislative leaders to serve on the Joint State Government Commission on Wrongful Convictions. Ferman was also named by The Legal Intelligencer as a “Woman of Distinction 2010” [8] and has been honored by the Citizen’s Crime Commission of the Delaware Valley,[9] Victim’s Services Center of Montgomery County and the National Children’s Advocacy Center. Fraternal Order of Police Lodges and the Police Chiefs of Montgomery County have recognized Ferman as an honorary member of their associations.
On April 14th, 2011 District Attorney Risa Ferman debuted her first book, "The Mouse Who Went Surfing Alone", which is aimed at helping parents teach their children about Internet safety. All proceeds from the book go towards Mission Kids child advocacy center. [10]
A 2011 report by the United States Office of Special Counsel concluded that Ferman violated the Hatch Act when she ran for District Attorney in 2007, because she campaigned without resigning her position as First Assistant District Attorney. However, no sanctions were imposed.[11]
Prior to attending law school, Ferman managed a family operated retail jewelry chain, Crown Jewel, with 25 stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.[12]
In early 2011, Risa Vetri Ferman announced that she would seek reelection as Montgomery County District Attorney. She is currently running unopposed.
By May 2011, Ferman wielded a campaign warchest of nearly a quarter million dollars, leading some to speculate that she was preparing to run for Pennsylvania Attorney General in 2012.[13]
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bruce Castor |
District Attorney of Montgomery County 2008 – Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |