Joe Platania
For the past 20 years - first as a staff lawyer, and since 2017 as Charlottesville's popularly elected Commonwealth's Attorney - Joe Platania has been dispensing justice in the hometown of the University of Virginia.
First and foremost, Platania's job is to protect the public. He and his staff of five lawyers work to convict people who have committed crimes and, when the crimes are serious, advocate for prison sentences.
Platania advises his staff attorneys and other prosecutors to use their power with thoughtful intention. He has several rules. Approach each case with humility. Everyone, including prosecutors, makes mistakes. And every defendant’s life will be changed by the judgment calls that prosecutors make.
Despite the challenges of being a prosecutor, Platania says he cannot imagine a more rewarding career. “What a privilege to have a front row seat, to be working in this field. I just absolutely love it.”