Behind the Scenes: The Reality of the Criminal Justice System

Judge Williams was elected to the bench on November 4, 2025. She is a graduate of St. John’s College High School (1999), Temple University (B.A., 2003), Wilmington University (M.S., 2004), and Widener University Commonwealth Law School (J.D., 2017).

Judge Williams has devoted her career to public service and advocacy. Her prior service includes roles as a Commissioner for Susquehanna Township, a judicial law clerk, and a legislative research analyst with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Earlier in her career, she also worked as a licensed beautician in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, an early intervention services coordinator, and a high school teacher in Philadelphia, experiences that shaped her commitment to community engagement and equity.

Following law school, Judge Williams served as an Assistant District Attorney in York and Franklin Counties, where she prosecuted a wide range of juvenile and adult criminal matters. In 2022, she founded Williams Law Group in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Drawing on decades of advocacy experience, she focused her practice on court-appointed and pro bono representation, defending individuals from arrest through post-conviction relief, including work on behalf of the wrongly convicted.

Judge Williams has served on the boards of nonprofit organizations and is a member of the Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, Franklin County, and York County Bar Associations. She is especially passionate about volunteering her time with adolescents. Judge Williams is the proud mother of her young daughter.

Fran Chardo is the District Attorney of Dauphin County. Fran oversees an office of 31 prosecutors and 12 detectives and is the chief law enforcement officer of Dauphin County. Each year, this office prosecutes approximately 6000 felony and misdemeanor cases in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas as well as numerous cases before magisterial district judges.

Mr. Shawki Lacey will serve as Chief of Police for the Steelton Police Department, bringing more than 25 years of distinguished law enforcement experience to the position. He is a seasoned public safety professional with a proven record of leadership, integrity, and commitment to building trust between law enforcement and the community.

Mr. Lacey began his public safety service with the City of Harrisburg as a Park Ranger and later served with the Dauphin County Domestic Relations Office as an Enforcement Officer and Deputy Sheriff. In 2001, he began a long and distinguished career with the Susquehanna Township Police Department, advancing through the ranks to become a Patrolman, Detective, Corporal, and Sergeant. During his tenure, he supervised the Criminal Investigation Division, oversaw internal affairs, and managed high-profile and sensitive investigations. He also served with the Bank Robbery Task Force and the Dauphin County Drug Task Force, thereby enhancing interagency cooperation and facilitating the sharing of criminal intelligence.

In addition to his operational leadership, Mr. Lacey serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Harrisburg Area Community College Municipal Police Academy, where he instructs future officers in ethics, investigative procedures, cultural competency, and police administration. His dedication to training and mentorship underscores his commitment to preparing the next generation of law enforcement professionals for principled service.

Mr. Lacey holds a Master of Science in Security Management from Bellevue University and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Criminal Justice Administration from Mountain State University, where he graduated summa cum laude. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command; the FBI LEEDA Mid-Atlantic Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (MALEEDS) at Princeton University; the Harrisburg Area Community College Police Academy (Act 120); and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO) Training Institute. Throughout his career, Mr. Lacey has been recognized for excellence in service, including the 2019 ASIS Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and the Drew Comrey Award for Outstanding Performance. He maintains active memberships in professional organizations such as FBI LEEDA, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Pennsylvania Protect Safe Schools Board of Directors.

Mr. Lacey’s leadership philosophy is grounded in accountability, professionalism, and community partnership. Under his leadership, the Steelton Borough Police Department is dedicated to maintaining public trust, promoting officer professionalism, and ensuring the safety and security of all residents through fair and ethical policing. A central Pennsylvania native, Mr. Lacey has dedicated his career to serving the region where he was raised. Beyond his law enforcement responsibilities, he has remained deeply engaged in the community, volunteering his time as a coach and mentor to local youth, helping to guide and inspire the next generation through teamwork, discipline, and positive leadership.