District Attorney Jennifer Schorn speaking at a February press conference. (Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com)
Jennifer Schorn, who stepped into the role of Bucks County district attorney last year following Matt Weintraub’s election as a judge, is now seeking to solidify her position as the elected top prosecutor.
With over 25 years of experience in the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, Schorn, a Republican, is running unopposed in the May 20 primary. She is expected to face Democrat Joe Khan in the November general election.
Raised in Upper Southampton Township and a Central Bucks County mom and wife, Schorn said her commitment to the community is deeply rooted.
Looking back, Schorn attributes her decision to pursue the district attorney position to her profound dedication to her career and a desire to continue the office’s mission of pursuing justice.
“When Matt Weintraub decided that the bench was calling, he obviously had a discussion with me saying that I was his successor,” Schorn recalled. “And you know, I’ve absolutely loved my career as a prosecutor here. It was an easy yes.”
Schorn’s passion for prosecution stems from a deep-seated desire to advocate for victims, including vulnerable children, she said.
Even as a math major at St. Joseph’s University, she felt a strong pull towards public service, which ultimately led her to law school and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
“My only goal was to find a job in a district attorney’s office or prosecutor’s office,” Schorn said. “And when I had the opportunity to interview with then-District Attorney Alan Rubenstein in my home county, it was exactly what I had hoped for.”
Throughout her extensive career, Schorn has handled numerous high-profile and emotionally taxing cases, including the murder of 14-year-old Grace Packer, the serial sexual abuse case involving Falls Township’s Walter Meyerle, and the homicides of two young boys by their own mother in Upper Makefield Township. She also prosecuted the Upper Southampton Township murder of An-Hnan “Annie” Thi Huynh, which was notable for its early use of cell site location evidence. More recently, she tried the 1991 unsolved Bristol Township murder of Joy Hibbs, and the 1984 rape and murder of Bensalem Township resident Barbara Rowan.
“Those are just a few,” Schorn said, emphasizing the weight of each case and the importance of justice for every victim.
Schorn commended the staff of her office and the law enforcement officials in the community they work with.
Beyond criminal prosecutions, Schorn has also been involved in civil litigation under the consumer protection law, a unique power of the district attorney’s office. She has been active in cases against social media giants for their role in facilitating harmful content.
“It’s really this amazing superpower that we possess to right some past wrongs,” she said of the role in civil litigation.
In her interview with LevittownNow.com, Schorn outlined her vision for the office, which included building upon existing programs. She highlighted the success of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the importance of addressing sextortion crimes.
“We have more arrests and prosecution for child sexual abuse than any other county in the commonwealth,” she noted.
Schorn also pointed to the office’s commitment to diversionary courts, which offer second chances to nonviolent offenders struggling with mental health or substance abuse.
Schorn stressed that politics plays no role in her decision-making and she is battle-tested for the job.
“Politics should never enter into my decisions on how to serve this community as district attorney,” she stated. “These issues that I’m speaking of are not political issues. I’m speaking of public safety.”
Schorn emphasized the importance of the office’s ongoing work in combating the opioid crisis and gun violence, noting the newly formed gun task force in the county.
“We have not let up one bit on the opioid crisis and the war against drugs,” she said. “And then obviously guns, too. We’re going after anyone who’s engaging in crimes using a gun or in the illegal possession of firearms.”
