District Attorney Background

D. Shawn White has served as the District Attorney of Venango County since January 2014.  District Attorney White is a life-long resident of Venango County, growing up in Franklin, PA. 

After graduating from Franklin Area Highschool in 1979, Shawn attended Thiel College where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1983.  He went on to earn his law degree from Dusquesne University in 1986 where he graduated in the top third of his class. 

Upon graduating Shawn became an Assistant District Attorney of Venango County prosecuting many types of criminal cases.  In 1988 Shawn entered private practice as a criminal law attorney with Ralph L.S. Montana, Esquire in Clarion, PA, and started his own practice in 1991 focusing on criminal law. 

Shawn has prosecuted and defended approximately 250 Jury trials and litigated in 20 counties in Pennsylvania. 

In 2012, Shawn was specially appointed by District Attorney Marie T. Veon, to prosecute criminal cases over three trial terms when her office needed assistance. 

As the District Attorney he is designated by law as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in Venango County.  He supervises 3 assistant district attorneys and 5 support staff.  Additionally, he offers assistance to all law enforcement within Venango County and is available to them 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days. 

District Attorney White serves on the following boards/teams: Child Death Review Board, Criminal Justice Advisory Board, STOP, Prison Board, MDIT, Overdose Task Force, Problem Solving Court. 

District Attorney White belongs to the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Venango County Bar Association, and can practice  law in the Pennsylvania Superior, Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.