Where is the District Attorney’s Office?
The District Attorney’s Office is located in the Northampton County Courthouse at 669 Washington Street, Easton, Pennsylvania 18042. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
How can I contact the District Attorney’s Office?
The main number for the Office is (610) 829-6630. Your call will be routed to the appropriate staff member.
Where do I park if I'm coming to the District Attorney's Office?
There is a parking garage next to the Northampton County Courthouse on Washington Street. There is a parking lot across the street from the parking garage, also on Washington Street. There is a second parking lot one block from the Courthouse on South Union Street. The parking garage and parking lots are all open to individuals who are going to the Courthouse and they are free of charge. There are handicap, expectant mother, and thirty minute parking spots available. Additionally, there are metered parking spots available along Washington Street and Seventh Street, both of which border the Courthouse.
After parking, proceed to the main entrance of the Courthouse, located on the corner of Washington and Seventh Streets. You will have to go through security to enter the Courthouse. After completing security, head to the left. The District Attorney’s Office is located on the first floor near the Court Administration and Mediation Offices.
Who works at the District Attorney’s Office?
The Office is led by District Attorney Terence Houck. The Office employs twenty-one additional attorneys, seven detectives, and eighteen staff members.
For more information about the individuals who work at the District Attorney's Office, see the "Prosecution Team" section of our website.
For information about job openings at the District Attorney's Office, see the "Career" section of our website.
How do I report a crime?
Crimes should generally be reported by calling 911 or contacting the local police department where the crime occurred.
Pennsylvania also allows for the filing of private criminal complaints. For more information about that process, go to private criminal complaints page.
What is the general criminal process?
Upon being notified that a crime has been committed, the police begin an investigation. Once they've gathered sufficient information, they will charge a suspect with the applicable crimes. Following arrest, a defendant is preliminarily arraigned. At this time, bail is set. The next stage of the criminal process is a preliminary hearing. This is a proceeding before a magisterial district judge to determine whether the Commonwealth has sufficient evidence to move the case forward. If the magisterial district judge finds in the Commonwealth's favor, the case will be "bound over" to the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas.
Once at the county level, the defendant is formally arraigned, at which time he or she is formally charged, enters a plea, and is given a trial date. Following arraignment, there is often pre-trial litigation, where a judge resolves various preliminary issues, including claims related to discovery and suppression.
A majority of criminal cases are resolved by way of guilty plea. The remaining cases proceed to trial. At trial, the Commonwealth must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crimes with which he or she is charged. At the conclusion of the trial, it is up to a judge and/or jury to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not. If a defendant is found guilty, a judge is responsible for sentencing the defendant.
Following sentencing, a defendant has various appeal rights in both state and federal court.
I am the victim in a criminal case and need assistance. Who can I contact?
The District Attorney's Office employs a full-time victim coordinator, Denise Drake. You may contact her with any questions related to court appearances, availability of compensation, and other victim services at (610) 829-6645.
For additional resources, go to victim/witness services page.
I want to apply for ARD. What should I do?
First, you must waive your preliminary hearing before the magisterial district judge. Second, you must file an ARD application with the District Attorney's Office prior to your formal arraignment. The applications for DUI and non-DUI ARD are available under the "Forms" section of this website or at the District Attorney's Office.
Who decides if I get ARD?
The District Attorney's Office will initially determine whether an applicant may be admitted into the ARD program. If approved by the District Attorney's Office, a second screening will take place by the Northampton County Adult Probation Office. If the Probation Office also approves the ARD application, the matter will be forwarded to a judge of the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas for admission into the ARD program.
What happens if my ARD application is denied?
Your case will be assigned a trial date.
I received a subpoena to appear in court. What is it and what should I do?
A subpoena is a summons issued by the court that directs an individual to appear at a stated day and time to give testimony or produce documents. It is a legally binding court order, and if you fail to comply with a subpoena, you can be arrested and jailed.
Generally, if you are a victim or witness to a crime, you will receive a subpoena to appear from the District Attorney's Office. Your subpoena will include the name and telephone number of who to contact for more information. It is crucial that you call upon receipt of your subpoena. A representative from the District Attorney's Office will be able to provide additional information related to the specific case you were subpoenaed for, including when and where you will need to appear.
A case I am involved in is going to trial. What should I expect?
Criminal trials take place at the Northampton County Courthouse. All criminal trials are open to the public. A trial can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. There will be numerous individuals in the courtroom, including the judge and his or her staff, the assistant district attorney prosecuting the case, the police officer in charge of the case, the defendant, the defense attorney, and deputy sheriffs. Most criminal trials take place in front of a twelve person jury.
How do I file a Right to Know request?
For information go to Right to Know requests page.
Who is my local Magisterial District Judge?
To determine who the elected magisterial district judge is where you live, click here.
To see a complete list of all Northampton County magisterial district judges, click here.
What does expungement mean?
Expungement is the process of removing certain records related to arrests and convictions/adjudications. Not all criminal records are eligible for expungement and not all records completely "disappear." If eligible, expungement may be accomplished by filing a petition with the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas and serving the District Attorney's Office with a copy of that petition.
Note that expungement relates only to official records related to a criminal case. It will not affect information that was published on the internet or in other media sources.