Primary Profile: D.A. Candidate Michael Turner

Democrat Michael Turner is also running for District Attorney. He grew-up in Germantown and Mt. Airy, now lives in Mt. Airy, and is a partner at a Center City law firm.

Turner says since the beginning of his campaign for D.A., he has vowed not to seek endorsements or money from elected officials, or political action committees. He says that decision makes him uniquely qualified to go after municipal corruption cases.

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Turner: Far too often here in Philadelphia municipal corruption cases are prosecuted either by the U.S. Attorney's Office or by the Attorney General's Office and I don't think that that should be the case. I think the Philadelphia D.A. – the person who is elected by the citizens of the city of Philadelphia – can and should prosecute municipal corruption cases and make it a priority.

One challenge facing the next District Attorney is budget cuts.

Turner says the D.A.'s Office could bring in more money through asset forfeiture. He says the D.A. can also cut costs by sending non-violent offenders to the community court system instead of prison.

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Turner: I've advocated modeling that Community Court System on the Red Hook Community Court System. Under that system a judge has the power to deal with individuals who have drug or alcohol problems, or mental health issues, or anger management issues, and can make that part of an individual's sentence.

On the issue of the death penalty, Turner says it should only be used very sparingly and for the most heinous crimes, like the shooting of a police officer in the line of duty.