PLAN FOR JUSTICE
A PROVEN LEADER WITH A NEW VISION FOR JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY ACCOUNTABILITY
Lifelong Philadelphian and former Municipal Court President Judge Patrick Dugan knows that the key to safer neighborhoods and fairer justice is a localized approach. His geographical prosecution plan for justice will bring accountability, community engagement, and justice to every corner of our city. His system will prioritize victims and punish criminals. His plan is rooted in his deep ties to Philadelphia and his years of experience as a Municipal Court Judge. He has seen first-hand how localized, community-focused solutions can change lives and improve public safety.
As District Attorney, Dugan will:
- Personally engage with communities, law enforcement, and victims to ensure justice is served.
- Expand resources for diversionary programs, job training, and education.
- Always prioritize the safety and well-being of Philadelphia’s residents.
This plan is about more than just fighting crime—it’s about rebuilding communities. Dugan’s geographical prosecution plan for justice will hold criminals accountable, provide second chances when appropriate, and ensure every neighborhood feels the impact of a fair and just system they can trust and believe in again.
WHY THIS MATTERS
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Safer Neighborhoods:
Localized prosecution will focus resources on the most pressing issues in each community, reducing violent crime and repeat offenses. -
Fairer Justice:
By prioritizing diversionary programs for low-level offenders, Dugan will help Philadelphians avoid unnecessary convictions and incarceration, giving them a chance to rebuild their lives. -
Community Trust:
Prosecutors embedded in neighborhoods will work hand-in-hand with residents and community organizations, fostering trust, and collaboration and ultimately a renewed faith in the DAO.
HOW WE ARE GOING TO DO IT
01. Dividing the DA’s Office into 6 Geographic Divisions
Judge Dugan will restructure the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office into six divisions, each focused on a specific region of the city. Every division will be led by a senior prosecutor responsible for justice in their area.
If you’re a victim from South Philadelphia, you will know the name of the prosecutor accountable for ensuring justice at 10th and Oregon and in all the South Philadelphia neighborhoods.
If you’re a victim from West Philadelphia, you will know the prosecutor responsible for addressing crimes near 52nd and Market and ensuring fairness and safety throughout West Philadelphia.
If you’re a victim from North Philadelphia, you will know the name of the prosecutor ensuring justice on Broad and Erie and tackling issues in surrounding neighborhoods.
If you’re a victim from Northeast Philadelphia, you will know the prosecutor committed to accountability near Frankford Avenue and the surrounding communities.
No matter where you live in Philadelphia, you will know that your neighborhood has a dedicated prosecutor who understands your community’s specific needs and concerns.
02. Recruit and hire locally to get back to 100% Staffed
Judge Dugan will prioritize recruiting and hiring Assistant District Attorneys from local law schools in the greater Philadelphia area. He will build a pipeline with Temple, PENN, Drexel, Villanova, Delaware Law School-Widener, and Rutgers.
He will recruit staff that has a vested interest in our public safety and criminal justice system because they are from here or have family that live here and they have seen gun violence and crime affect every corner of our city. Some will be fellow natives and others will call Philly their adopted home. We will hire staff that love our city and want to make a real difference in our neighborhoods.
With the right recruitment initiatives, we can restore the DAO to 100% staffed within an estimated 18 months with a new direction under strong leadership.
03. HOLDING CRIMINALS ACCOUNTABLE
Judge Dugan will change the prosecutorial discretion to hold ALL criminals accountable with a focus on detention, diversion, and deterrence to drastically reduce repeat offenders in violent crimes.
Under Judge Dugan’s strong leadership:
Violent offenders will face the maximum penalties allowed by law. Repeat offenders who terrorize our neighborhoods will no longer evade justice and pay for their crimes.
Low-level, first-time offenders will have a second chance. By entering diversionary programs, they can avoid convictions and jail time, focusing instead on rehabilitation and community support.
04. RESTORING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS with renewed focus on diversion
Judge Dugan will restore and expand community-focused programs that prioritize both justice and compassion with a holistic approach:
Community Courts will address quality-of-life crimes in neighborhoods, providing swift resolutions that reflect the needs of the community.
DAWN Court will offer real support to victims of human trafficking while prosecuting those who exploit them.
Group Violence Intervention (GVI) by fully staffing the GVI strategy and personally leading outreach efforts to gang members. Judge Dugan will offer them a choice: face the consequences of their actions or accept city resources like job training, cognitive behavioral therapy, and education for a better path forward.
05. ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PROSECUTORS
Senior prosecutors will be responsible for criminal justice outcomes in their divisions. They will follow strict guidelines to evaluate and prosecute cases. Outcomes will be tracked and reviewed to ensure consistency and fairness.
Judge Dugan will meet monthly with each of his division leaders to review their work for the previous 30 days. They will be held accountable for failures. The goal is to exonerate the innocent, rehabilitate those that can be rehabilitated, and punish evil and wrongdoing. Any prosecutor that fails in any of these missions will not work for DA Dugan.
06. Prioritizing High-impact cases
Using crime mapping and local intelligence, Judge Dugan will ensure that high-priority offenders are identified and prosecuted aggressively. At the same time, non-fatal shootings, VUFA (Violations of the Uniform Firearms Act) cases, and other serious crimes will be closely tracked to achieve the best possible outcomes in a timely manner.
Getting the DAO fully staffed and utilizing available resources wisely will help manage case load more efficiently and effectively.