Virtual Mental Health Court in the Yolo County DA’s Office, California

Prosecutors all over the country are finding ways to adapt to the “new normal.” Hear from them in PCE’s new series of video interviews. 

In PCE’s first interview of the series, Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven explains their unique approach to conducting Mental Health Court hearings via Zoom. Without a bailiff, court reporter or clerk, the Mental Health Court judge and other participants have conducted these virtual, informal hearings since April, 2020 despite the challenges presented by the pandemic.   

Authors: Arc, NAMI, PCE

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) or mental illness are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, as victims, witnesses, suspects, and defendants. In an effort to inform prosecutors’ strategies when working with these individuals, PCE, in collaboration with the Arc and NAMI, has developed this guide. 

Authors: PCE and Sarah Solano Geisler

Innovative programs described in these state-level papers funded by the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs are newly developed initiatives undertaken by an office in keeping with its unique resources and the needs of its community. We seek to highlight those offices that are embracing their new role by working within their capacity to bring effective and proactive programs to their communities.

Author: PCE

Author: PCE

Human trafficking is the second most profitable criminal industry behind the drug trade, estimated by the International Labor Organization to be a $150 billion industry worldwide. To better equip prosecutors to address this devastating crime, the National District Attorneys Association’s Women Prosecutors Section developed a National Human Trafficking Prosecution Best Practices Guide. The guide provides an overview of sex trafficking and labor trafficking, various state and federal trafficking laws, working with victims, the investigative process, and more. Read

BJA has a wide variety of grants available in 2020 that can be of assistance to prosecutors.

The expected solicitation release dates for the grants are between December 2019 and March 2020. Application submission deadlines are typically within 45-60 days of the grant’s announcement.

Author: PCE

Author: PCE