Larry Krasner, the elected District Attorney of Philadelphia since 2018, is a polarizing figure in American criminal justice. Also known as a progressive prosecutor, he came into office vowing to end mass incarceration, reduce cash bail, and hold police accountable — a radical shift from decades of tough-on-crime policies.
Krasner’s approach isn’t just policy — it’s a full rethinking of what a prosecutor should do. He stopped seeking cash bail for low-level offenses, dismissed thousands of marijuana possession cases, and refused to prosecute most low-level thefts unless violence was involved. His office even stopped seeking life sentences without parole for juveniles. These moves didn’t just change court outcomes — they sparked national debates. Supporters say he’s fixing a broken system. Critics argue he’s making neighborhoods less safe. Either way, Larry Krasner became a model for other cities considering similar reforms.
His relationship with the police is perhaps the most visible flashpoint. Krasner created a list of officers with credibility issues — those with histories of lying, misconduct, or excessive force — and vowed not to use them as witnesses. That meant hundreds of cases collapsed. The police union called it a war on law enforcement. Krasner said it was about justice. The tension didn’t stop there. He cut ties with the Philadelphia Police Department’s internal affairs unit, saying it was too biased to investigate itself. These aren’t small changes — they’re structural. And they’ve forced courts, cops, and communities to rethink who holds power in the system.
What’s clear is that Krasner didn’t just win an election — he started a movement. His office’s decisions ripple beyond Philadelphia. Other DAs in cities like Chicago, San Francisco, and Boston watched closely. Some copied his policies. Others ran against him. Either way, he changed the conversation. Now, when voters ask, "Who’s really protecting us?" — they’re not just asking about crime rates. They’re asking whether justice should be about punishment, or about fixing the root causes of harm.
Below, you’ll find articles that track Krasner’s actions, the legal battles he’s faced, the backlash from police unions, and how his reforms have impacted real people in Philadelphia — from those released from jail to officers who lost their cases. This isn’t just about one prosecutor. It’s about what happens when the system tries to change from the inside.
Judge Angelo Foglietta allowed Elon Musk’s $1M voter sweepstakes to continue through Election Day after Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner failed to prove it was an illegal lottery, sparking debate over free speech and campaign finance.
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