Former District Attorney & Judge Alan Rubenstein dies at 79

Alan Rubenstein, the former Bucks County district attorney and a Court of Common Pleas judge known for his tough-on-crime stance and outspoken personality, has died. 

Rubenstein’s son, Justin, told the Bucks County Courier Times that his 79-year-old father died peacefully at his home Friday in Northampton Township.

A Philadelphia native, Rubenstein, earned a history degree from Temple University and law degree from University of Toledo, began his career as an assistant district attorney in Bucks County in the 1970s. 

Rubenstein was first elected district attorney in 1985 and served until 1999, when he was elected to the Court of Common Pleas bench. His replacement as district attorney, Diane Gibbons, also went on to become a Court of Common Pleas judge.

As district attorney, Rubenstein was known for personally prosecuting high-profile cases, according to a Perkasie News-Herald article from 1998.

Rubenstein was a Republican who openly supported the death penalty and longer sentences for sex offenders.

“If you want to deter burglars, an occasional shooting may have a wonderful effect,” he told a reporter in 1999.

Rubenstein wasn’t afraid to upset Republican powerbrokers by refusing to fill certain jobs with people backed by the party. 

    Then-District Attorney Alan Rubenstein in an old photo.
  

Over his career in politics, he was offered, and turned down, chances to run for Congress, Pennsylvania Attorney General, and higher courts in the state. 

Rubenstein told many attorneys over the years the only two jobs he ever wanted were district attorney and a judge on the county bench.

Rubenstein handled some of the county’s most talked-about cases of the late 20th century. They included the kidnapping of a 1-day-old baby boy from Grandview Hospital, gaining the conviction of two men who killed a commercial artist from Levittown because they didn’t like people who were gay, and earning jail time for two teenagers who killed a peer. Rubenstein also prosecuted a man who killed a well-known Bristol sporting goods store owner in a 1974 robbery. He was responsible for starting the district attorney’s drug forfeiture fund, which captured millions. The tough-on-crime attorney also decided not to prosecute a case involving allegations of Satan-worshipping child abuse and sexual assault at a Northampton Township daycare, finding the allegations to be bunk.

Upon his election as a judge, he promised The Philadelphia Inquirer he would go from a “tough, young prosecutor to a kindly old judge in a flash.” 

In his later years, he was a long-time advocate for raising the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75 and later served as a senior judge at the Justice Center.

A few years ago, Rubenstein drew criticism for what a panel of judges found to be “disrespectful” comments related to a domestic case.

Rubenstein once called a civil law attorney job he had “terminally boring” and noted it was when he realized he wanted to be a prosecutor. 

The Philadelphia Daily News reported 25 years ago that Rubenstein was known for puffing on a cigarette and power walking as he moved around Doylestown Borough, often coming into conversation with those who recognized him.

Rubenstein, a fan of boxing since he was a boy, wasn’t afraid to show off a picture of himself and Muhammad Ali. He had judged many boxing matches over the years, bringing his legal acumen to the role. 

Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn offered her condolences to Rubenstein’s family and loved ones.

“Throughout his career—as district attorney, as a judge, and as a mentor to so many—he led with integrity, wisdom, and compassion,” Schorn said. “His dedication to justice shaped Bucks County for decades, and his guidance inspired countless young attorneys and public servants.”

“His legacy will not be forgotten, and his impact on Bucks County will be felt for generations,” she added.

Defense attorney Lou Busico called Rubenstein his “Godfather in the legal profession.”

“He was to the courtroom what Sinatra was to the stage and Ali to the boxing ring – the Greatest,” Busico said.

Niels Eriksen, the Bucks County Chief Public Defender, described Rubenstein as “the epitome of a judge.”

“You always knew where you stood with him. Sharp as they come, decisive in his decisions, down to earth, and always ready with a war story presented with impeccable flair,” Eriksen said. “Bucks county lost a great one.”

Common Pleas Judge Matt Weintraub, the former district attorney, was hired by Rubenstein as a prosecutor.

“He gave me my chance,” Weintraub said. “He was a great boss to work for. If you had potential and worked hard, he’d reward your effort with more challenging cases. If you made a mistake, he held you accountable, but never held a grudge.”

Weintraub recalled a conversation with a member of the public who told him Rubenstein was the best district attorney the county ever had. 

“I told her that I agreed,” he said. “I will miss him.”

Bucks County Commissioner Chairperson Bob Harvie shared his respect for Rubenstein.

“I always respected Judge Rubenstein’s professionalism and dedication to justice and public service,” Harvie said. “I’m proud to say I voted for him for DA and judge. He will be missed.”

Rubenstein is survived by his wife, his two sons, and five grandkids, according to the Bucks County Courier Times.