Risa Vetri Ferman (born April 5, 1965) is judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Montgomery County, and was formerly District Attorney of

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Montgomery County is a County (United States), county in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the List of counties in Pennsylvania, third-most populous county in Pennsylvania and the List of the most populous cou ...

. Before winning election as the county's prosecutor, Ferman worked for 15 years in the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.Mentors: Honorable Risa Vetri Ferman
''Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program, Inc.'' Retrieved: January 20th, 2015. In November 2007, she became the first woman elected District Attorney in Montgomery County. In 2011, Ferman won re-election and began her second term as District Attorney in January 2012. She is the daughter of Barbara and Sal Vetri, and sister of restaurateur Marc Vetri and television director and producer Adam Vetri.Parks, J. (April 27, 2013)
"Vetri, Ferman talk of foundations, family"
''Philadelphia Magazine''.

Biography

Youth and education

Risa Vetri Ferman was born in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...

and raised in Abington Township in

.District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman
. She is the daughter of Barbara and Sal Vetri. In her early life, Ferman worked for her father's jewelry store, Crown Jewels and Dazzles, which operated with 35 storefronts and mall kiosks across

Delaware Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...

and

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...

for 30 years. She graduated from Abington Senior High School in 1983 and attended the

University of Pennsylvania The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn or UPenn) is a private research university in Philadelphia. It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is ranked among the highest-regarded universitie ...

, graduating in 1987. After enrolling in the evening program at Widener University School of Law in 1990, she interned for the

United States Attorney's Office United States attorneys are officials of the U.S. Department of Justice who serve as the chief federal law enforcement officers in each of the 94 U.S. federal judicial districts. Each U.S. attorney serves as the United States' chief federal ...

in 1991. Ferman graduated from Widener University School of Law in 1992 with a Juris Doctor and was admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 1992. She was admitted to practice before the

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (in case citations, E.D. Pa.) is one of the original 13 federal judiciary districts created by the Judiciary Act of 1789. It originally sat in Independence Hall in Phil ...

in 2006, and the

United States Supreme Court The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that involve a point o ...

in 2000. In 1993, Ferman began working as a prosecutor for the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

Early legal career

Ferman began work as a prosecutor in 1993 and rose to Captain of Sex Crime and the Child Abuse. She has specialized in the prosecution of homicide, child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence cases. In 2002, Ferman was selected to serve as First Assistant District Attorney, second in command to then District Attorney Bruce Castor Jr. In this position, Ferman supervised the county detective bureau and oversaw all homicide cases. In November 2007, Ferman ran for District Attorney of Montgomery County.

2007 Montgomery County District Attorney election

In 2007, Ferman ran as a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

candidate for the District Attorneys seat against Democrat Peter C. AmusoLester, P. (November 7, 2007)
"First assistant leads in Montco district attorney race"
''The Morning Call''. Ferman won the election and received the highest vote count of any candidate on the ballot in 2007. She was elected in November 2007 as the first female District Attorney of Montgomery County and assumed office January 2008.

Service as District Attorney

In 2008, Ferman established an Elder Abuse Unit and Taskforce to support seniors targeted by criminals.Elder Access to Justice Roundtable. (n.d.)
Phucas, K. (July 6, 2009)
"D.A. Unit Targets Elder Abuse"
''The Mercury News''. (Pottsdown Mercury). Ferman supervises the Elder Abuse Task Force, a multifaceted force of law enforcement agencies as well as the county's Aging and Adult Services. Ferman established the Elder Justice Roundtable in 2013 after further development with the Elder Abuse Unit and Taskforce.Mongtomery County District Attorneys Office
(August 13, 2014). 2013 Annual Report. In 2009, Ferman co-founded the Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Mission Kids is a 501(c)(3) corporation, founded through a collaborative effort with the Police Chiefs of Association of Montgomery County, and the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth. Ferman is a member of the Mission Kids Executive Board (as Past President).Board of Directors
(n.d.). Association of Prosecuting Attorneys website. Ferman is a co-founder of the Montgomery County Child Advocacy Program (MCAP)Montgomery County Child Advocacy Program.
(n.d.). Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office website. as a board member. MCAP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides free legal representation to children who are victims of abuse in Montgomery County. Ferman introduced the School Safety Committee as a primary source for County schools regarding safety.School Safety Committee.
(n.d.). Montgomery County District Attorney's Office website. The committee consists of a variety of individual units such as school superintendents, public safety officials and law enforcement personnel. Ferman is an avid supporter of the Montgomery County Youth Aid Panel Program (YAP), a restorative justice initiative for juveniles in the criminal justice system.Youth Aid Panel Program.
(n.d.). Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office website. Retrieved January 13, 2015. Ferman created the Teen Driving Safety Program, which includes a Teen Driving Safety Documentary, through partnership with the WPVI Channel 6 ABC and a corresponding Teen Driving Safety Curriculum. In 2012, Ferman convened Montgomery County's first Cyber Bullying and Bullying Task Force.Anti-Violence & Bullying Prevention
Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. (n.d.). Come 2013, Ferman, along with Montgomery County Commission Chair Josh Shapiro, former Montgomery County Sheriff Eileen Behr, Montgomery County Schools and Intermediate Unit, and the Police Chiefs Association of Montgomery County, announced the creation and release of the firs
Cyber Bullying/Bullying Taskforce Manual
in the country. Ferman and Montgomery County Chief Public Defender Keir Bradford-Grey coordinated their efforts to protect youths in Montgomery County through a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Southeastern, Pennsylvania to create the "Back on Track program. In 2014, Ferman and Montgomery County Sheriff Russell Bono brought the Teen Suicide Prevention Program to Montgomery County in collaboration with John Halligan, Founder of Ryan’s Story. Ferman established the Detectives Violent Crime Unit to assist in investigations regarding brutal crime. She encourages the use of the District Attorney’s Office DUI and Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for the first time, non-violent offenders to highlight rehabilitative services. In addition, Ferman supports diversionary programs within Montgomery County such as Veteran’s Treatment Court, Drug Treatment Court and Behavioral Health Court. In April 2013, Ferman established the Montgomery County Prescription Drug Disposal Program which places safe receptacles for the public to safely dispose of their old or unwanted prescription drugs. Ferman spread awareness about Teen Prescription Drug AbusePhucas, K. (March 27, 2010)
"D.A.: To fight abuse, police the medicine cabinet"
''The Mercury News''. (Pottsdown Mercury). through her involvement with the McIntyre Family and the death of their son Ronald "Ronnie" Powell III as a result of prescription drug overdose. The District Attorney's Office has maintained a 98% conviction rate. DARisaVetriFerman and K9 Turks

In October 2014, Ferman brought the Courthouse Comfort Dog Program to the Montgomery County Courthouse with the addition of "K9 Turks" to serve victims and witnesses through distressing situations in the courthouse. In July 2015, Ferman was elected as the first female President of the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Association (PDAA). She is chair of the PDAA Best Practice Committee and a member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA). She is a member of the Joint State Government Commissions Advisory Committee on Wrongful Convictions. Ferman was nominated to Chair of the Criminal Procedural Rules Committee of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2010, and began as a member in 2006. She is a member of the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Institute and helped to bring Wheels of Justice bicycling team, a non-profit charitable organization that supports Law Enforcement related charities to Southeast Pennsylvania. In addition, Ferman brought the Fallen Hero Plaque Program to Montgomery County through collaboration with local law enforcement and founder of the program, James Binns Esquire.

Politics

In 2011 Ferman was re-elected for a second term as Montgomery County District Attorney. As a result of her prolific fundraising (raising around $237,000) rumors arose that she was running for

Pennsylvania Attorney General The Pennsylvania Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It became an elected office in 1980. The current Attorney General is Democrat Josh Shapiro. On August 15, 2016, then-Attorney General Kat ...

, however, she remained at her District Attorney post.

Philadelphia Magazine ''Philadelphia'' (also called "''Philadelphia'' magazine" or referred to by the nickname "Phillymag", once called ''Greater Philadelphia'') is a regional monthly magazine published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by the Lipson family of Philadelphia ...

profiled Ferman in 2011 as a result of her success as District Attorney with regard to her position on politics and types of crime rising throughout Montgomery County. As of January 2015, Ferman decided to leave her position as District Attorney and run for a seat on the

Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas In Pennsylvania, the courts of common pleas are the trial courts of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania (the state court system). The courts of common pleas are the trial courts of general jurisdiction in the state. The name derives fro ...

as Judge in Montgomery County. In August 2015, DA Ferman charged Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane for her alleged involvement in the leaking of confidential investigative information to a newspaper and for her subsequent attempts to cover up these actions. Following the leak, a grand jury investigated and recommended the arrest and filing of criminal charges against Kane for felony perjury and multiple misdemeanors nine months prior to her being charged. However, Ferman launched her own independent criminal investigation into the allegations against Kane. Ultimately DA Ferman concluded that it was appropriate to file criminal charges against the Attorney General. Kane's criminal trial for

felony A felony is traditionally considered a crime of high seriousness, whereas a misdemeanor is regarded as less serious. The term "felony" originated from English common law (from the French medieval word "félonie") to describe an offense that resu ...

charges of

perjury Perjury (also known as foreswearing) is the intentional act of swearing a false oath or falsifying an affirmation to tell the truth, whether spoken or in writing, concerning matters material to an official proceeding."Perjury The act or an inst ...

and obstruction began on August 8, 2016. On August 15, she was convicted on all nine counts.

Author and speaker

Guest speaker

Ferman appeared on

Dateline NBC ''Dateline NBC'' is a weekly American television news magazine/reality legal show that is broadcast on NBC. It was previously the network's flagship general interest news magazine, but now focuses mainly on true crime stories with only occasio ...

in April, 2009. In November 2011, Ferman was featured as an honored guest speaker at the Widener Symposium on Child Abuse, "Lessons from Tragedy: Legal, Professional, and Ethical Issues Raised by Bradley and Beyond". In 2012, Ferman was featured at the Penn State Abington campus of Penn State University as the Spring Commencement Speaker. DARisaVetriFermanBookReading

Author

Ferman is a featured author for the Widener Law Review of Widener University of Law, her review is titled, "Lessons from Tragedy: Bridging the Gap between Public Expectations and Legal Standards through an Evaluation of Criminal Investigations and Subsequent Charging Decisions". Ferman is also a blogger for

The Huffington Post ''HuffPost'' (formerly ''The Huffington Post'' until 2017 and sometimes abbreviated ''HuffPo'') is an American progressive news website, with localized and international editions. The site offers news, satire, blogs, and original content, and ...

Ferman authored and published the children's book "The Mouse Who Went Surfing Alone".Internet Safety: Pre-K & 1st Grade.
(n.d.). Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. All profits from sales of the book go to Mission Kids. The book is intended for young children and teachers as a teaching tool about internet safety. Thanks to a donation from the Verizon Foundation to Mission Kids, each child usually receives a copy to take home and discuss with his/her parents.

Personal life

Ferman is married to husband, Michael, and has three children. Her mother, Barbara Vetri, was a lawyer specializing in real estate and family law. In 1994, her father Sal Vetri sold his jewelry chain, Crown Jewel. Her brother, Marc Vetri, is a chef in Philadelphia. The youngest of the Vetri family is Adam Vetri, who is a director and producer.TV News Desk. (January 16, 2015)
"CMT's STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE Picks Up DGA Nomination"
''Broadway World''. Wisdom Digital Media.

References

External links

Montgomery County District Attorney's Office Website

Risa Vetri Ferman Official page

The Vetri Family Website
*
Montgomery County Prescription Drug Disposal Program

Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center

Montgomery County Child Advocacy Program

Childrens Advocacy Center of Austin, Texas

Elder Access to Justice Roundtable

Montgomery County Youth Aid Panel (YAP)

Back on Track

Cyber Bullying and Bullying Task Force

the Mind of the Prosecutor: How to Play Well in the Sandbox with Your DA Instead of Getting Sand Kicked in Your Face

Teen Suicide Prevention Program

Fallen Hero Plaque Program

Widener Symposium on Child Abuse, "Lessons from Tragedy: Legal, Professional, and Ethical Issues Raised by Bradley and Beyond"

"The Mouse Who Went Surfing Alone"
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ferman, Risa Vetri 1965 births Living people American children's writers American prosecutors American women judges American women lawyers County district attorneys in Pennsylvania Judges of the Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas Pennsylvania lawyers Pennsylvania Republicans People from Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania University of Pennsylvania alumni Widener University School of Law alumni American women children's writers Women in Pennsylvania politics Writers from Philadelphia 21st-century American women