As the July 24 deadline rapidly approaches, Pennsylvania’s prosecutors are putting pressure on the General Assembly to enact legislation to address the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision regarding second-degree murder in Commonwealth v. Lee.
The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association says legislative inaction is dangerous because:
- As Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, said “Failing to act would leave our communities and victims without needed protections.” Defendants convicted of second-degree murder present a threat to public safety and the legislature is responsible for creating a lasting framework for the criminal justice system to follow;
- Doing nothing will result in an inequitable sentencing scheme. For example, if the deadline expires without a new law, juvenile offenders will face harsher mandatory penalties than adult offenders;
- If the cost to resentence more than 1,000 cases is placed on the county district attorney’s offices and public defender offices, it will be an overwhelming cost burden for county taxpayers; and,
- Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania Executive Director Sara Jacobson agrees that uniformity is important. She says without a legislative fix, the disparity of resources county to county will lead to a “justice by geography” situation. (Spotlight PA, July 14, 2026)
As a prosecutor and former defense attorney, Berks County District Attorney John Adams said, “I have been on both sides of this issue, so I know it by heart, and I know it through experience.” He says prosecutors want to see legislation that offers appropriate sentencing alternatives for cases that don’t warrant life in prison but keep the possibility open for those that do.
The PDAA is committed to continuing to seek justice for crime victims and their families, and we implore the legislature to act. The clock is ticking.
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