2025 Lancaster County Criminal Law Update

TIME:
Lunch: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
CLE: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

ONLINE REGISTRATION INCLUDED BELOW.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM.

Event Description

The 2025 Lancaster County Criminal Law Update will provide essential insights into recent changes impacting criminal practitioners in Lancaster County. Assistant District Attorney Andrew Harbaugh will introduce the newly established Rapid Resolution Court, outlining its goals, process, and benefits. Common Pleas Judge Merrill Spahn will discuss expected local rule changes, the new trial schedule, and judicial expectations. District Attorney Heather Adams will be discussing Pathways to Recovery, a diversion program offered at the Magisterial District Justice level. She will review why the program was created, how it works, and statistics from the program. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions in advance for Judge Spahn to address during the program.

CREDIT(S):

1.0 SUBSTANTIVE CREDIT

SPEAKERS:

Honorable Merrill M. Spahn
Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas Judge

Judge Merrill M. Spahn, Jr., was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania.  He attended Penn State University and earned his law degree from Penn State University, Dickinson School of Law.  Judge Spahn worked as Lancaster county’s Deputy Chief Public Defender before being elected to the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas in 2013.  He was retained in 2023. Judge Spahn presides over Criminal Court.

District Attorney Heather L. Adams
Lancaster County District Attorney

Ms. Adams is a native of Lititz, Lancaster County. She graduated from Warwick High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Millersville University, cum laude. Ms. Adams received her juris doctorate from Widener University School of Law in 1997, where she graduated cum laude and was ranked fourth in her class. Ms. Adams then served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable James P. Cullen in the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas. Thereafter, she accepted a position as an Assistant District Attorney for the York County District Attorney’s. In 2002, Ms. Adams accepted a position with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office in the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Unit. Shortly afterwards, Ms. Adams transferred to the Drug Strike Force Section where she was responsible for felony drug and narcotics and corrupt organizations prosecutions in a nine-county area, including Lancaster County. Ms. Adams then joined Pyfer Reese Straub Gray and Farhat in March 2013, and has concentrated her practice on criminal defense.  Ms. Adams was then elected to serve as District Attorney of Lancaster County in 2020 and again in 2024 and currently serves in that capacity.

Andrew Harbaugh, Esquire
Lancaster County Assistant District Attorney – Rapid Resolution Court Supervisor

QUESTIONS?

Email Lexi Driendl (cle@lancasterbar.org), Continuing Legal Education & Marketing Coordinator