Risa Vetri Ferman (born April 5, 1965) is the judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and was formerly District Attorney of the same county. After working for 15 years in the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, in November 2007, she became the first woman elected District Attorney in Montgomery County.Mentors: Honorable Risa Vetri Ferman. Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program, Inc. Retrieved: January 20th, 2015. 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). . Philadelphia Magazine.
Biography
Youth and education Risa Vetri Ferman was born in Philadelphia and raised in Abington Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.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, which operated 35 storefronts and mall kiosks across Philadelphia, Delaware and New Jersey for 30 years.Nichols, R. (2010, February 14). "This Vetri cooks, too". Philadelphia Inquirer.
She graduated from Abington Senior High School in 1983 and attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, graduating in 1987.Hessler, C., Jr. (2015, January 12, 2015). "Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman will not seek a third term, announces intent to run for county judge seat". Montgomery Media. While enrolled in the evening program at Widener University School of Law in 1990, she interned for the United States Attorney's Office in 1991. Ferman graduated from Widener Law in 1992 with a Juris Doctor and was admitted to the bars of Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 1992. She was admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in 2006, and the United States Supreme Court 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 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, she supervised the county detective bureau and oversaw all homicide cases.
2007 Montgomery County District Attorney election In 2007, Ferman ran for the District Attorneys seat against Democrat Peter C. Amuso.Lester, 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 in January 2008.
Service as District Attorney
In 2008, Ferman established an Elder Abuse Unit and Task Force to support seniors targeted by criminals.Office Structure. (n.d.). Montgomery County's District Attorney's Office website.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 collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the county's Aging and Adult Services.Montgomery County - Elder Abuse Hotline. Senior Directory (n.d.). Ferman established the Elder Justice Roundtable in 2013 after further development with the Elder Abuse Unit and Task Force.Hessler, C., Jr. (March 2, 2008). "Montco starts elder abuse prevention unit". The Mercury News. (Pottsdown Mercury).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.About Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center. (n.d.).
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.Board Members. (n.d.). Montgomery Child Advocacy Project website. MCAP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides free legal representation to children who are victims of abuse in Montgomery County.About Montgomery County Child Advocacy Program. (n.d.). Montgomery County Child Advocacy Program website. 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.Hessler, C., Jr. (May 17, 2009). "D.A. Cites Accomplishments". The Mercury News. (Pottsdown Mercury). 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,Keeping Kids Safe. Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. (n.d.). which includes a Teen Driving Safety Documentary, through a partnership with the WPVI Channel 6 ABC and a corresponding Teen Driving Safety Curriculum.Hessler, C., Jr. (May 17, 2009). "Montco D.A. Ferman reflects on first year". The Mercury News. (Pottsdown Mercury).Fernandez, J. (May 10, 2012). "LM sophomores and Montco officials discuss drunk driving death". Philadelphia Inquirer.Hessler, C., Jr. (2010, March 18). "Montco D.A. urges teens to make good choices". Montgomery County's District Attorney's Office. (n.d.).
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 first Cyber Bullying/Bullying Task Force Manual in the country.District Attorney Ferman, Along With County Commission Chair Josh Shapiro, Sheriff Eileen Behr. Press release.
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.Montgomery County Public Defender, District Attorney Announce New Program for Delinquent Youth in Partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA. Press release. (June 24, 2014). 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.District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Sheriff Russell Bono Partner with Local Schools to Tackle Youth Bullying, Cyber Bullying, and Teen Suicide Prevention. Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. (September 10, 2014). Press release.
Ferman established the Detectives Violent Crime Unit to assist in investigations regarding brutal crime.Brandt, E. (December 4, 2014). "Montco Violent Crime Unit to help with Pottstown shooting investigation". The Mercury News. (Pottsdown Mercury). She encourages the use of the District Attorney’s Office DUI and Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for the first time, for non-violent offenders to highlight rehabilitative services. In addition, Ferman supports diversionary programs within Montgomery County such as the 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.DA Prescription Drug Disposal Program. Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. (n.d.). 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 a prescription drug overdose. The District Attorney's Office has maintained a 98% conviction rate.
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.Hunter, W. (October 3, 2014). "Montgomery County’s New Courthouse Dog To Help Comfort, Support Victims And Witnesses". CBS Philly Newsgroup post.
In July 2015, Ferman was elected as the first female President of the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Association (PDAA).. (July 14, 2015). Pennsylvania District Attorney's Association. She is chair of the PDAA Best Practice CommitteePDAA Launches Best Practices Committee. (October 20, 2014). Pennsylvania District Attorney's Association. and a member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA).Board of Directors. (n.d.). Association of Prosecuting Attorneys website. She is a member of the Joint State Government Commissions Advisory Committee on Wrongful Convictions.Report of the Advisory Committee on Wrongful Convictions, September 2011.
Ferman was nominated to Chair of the Criminal Procedural Rules Committee of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2010,Hessler, C., Jr. (February 22, 2010). "Montco D.A. Ferman to chair Pa. rules committee". The Mercury News. (Pottsdown Mercury). and began as a member in 2006.Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Appointment. Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. (June 5, 2006). Press release. She is a member of the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Institute and helped to bring the Wheels of Justice bicycling team, a non-profit charitable organization that supports Law Enforcement related charities to Southeast Pennsylvania.Wheels of Justice. (n.d.). Wheels of Justice Montgomery County Pennsylvania website.DeHuff, J. (July 30, 2011). "Wheels of Justice takes a turn for charity". The Mercury News. (Pottsdown Mercury). 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.District Attorney's Fallen Hero Plaque Program. (n.d.). Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.
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, however, she remained at her District Attorney post.Roebuck, J. (May 16, 2011). "Montco D.A. Ferman's funds raise talk of run for Pa. attorney general". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia Magazine 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.Vetri Ferman, R., Esq. (2011, December 29). Q&A: Risa Vetri Ferman (Interview by R.Rhys: Transcript). Philadelphia Magazine.