stephen-zappala

Allegheny County Chief Public Defender Matt Dugan

Allegheny Co. DA hopeful Dugan calls for more collaborative, preventative approach to public safety

BY: - January 22, 2023

"In 2023, Allegheny County's justice system is in need of change. We need to think differently,” Dugan said

Death of Pgh man repeatedly tasered by police was an accident, Alle. Co. medical examiner rules

BY: - January 4, 2022

Jim Rogers, 54, died on Oct. 14, 2021, less than 24 hours after Pittsburgh Police officers tasered him eight times in response to a neighbor’s 911 call alleging that he had stolen a bicycle.

Allegheny Co. President Judge Kim Clark says systemic racism exists in courts

BY: - July 12, 2021

Clark, who has served as a judge since 1999, and as president judge since 2018, is the first Black person to hold the top position in Allegheny County history.

COMMENTARY

Yes, Allegheny Co. DA Zappala should resign or be impeached. No, he shouldn’t be the target of legal discipline | Bruce Ledewitz

BY: - July 9, 2021

Even if you think Zappala should stay in office, you should still want that decision to rest with the political branches of government.

AlleCo DA Zappala rescinds policy halting plea deals to Black lawyer who called his office racist

BY: - June 8, 2021

Between 2016 and 2017, Zappala’s office charged Black teens as adults 20 times as often as it charged white teens as adults in Allegheny County.

Alle. Co. DA Zappala faces calls for resignation from fellow W.Pa Democrats

BY: - June 6, 2021

By Ryan Deto PITTSBURGH — Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala has faced significant fallout for an email he sent in May to his deputy prosecutors forbidding them from offering any plea deals to the clients of a well-known Black lawyer who five days prior criticized Zappala’s office for being “systematically racist.” The American Civil Liberties Union is calling for […]

Alle. Co. DA Zappala faces rising criticism over reports he retaliated against Black attorney

BY: - June 4, 2021

Ed Gainey, the Democratic nominee for Pittsburgh mayor, has joined the chorus of voices calling for an investigation into Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala.

COMMENTARY

Report: Low level drug prosecutions in Pittsburgh are drowning people in debt | Thursday Morning Coffee

BY: - September 19, 2019

In 2017, Democratic Allegheny County DA Steve Zappala slapped more than $2M in fees on those who can least afford it. That defies trends