Prosecutorial Workload – The Hidden Crisis in Criminal Justice

Authors: Elaine Borakove, Kristine Hamann, Antonia Merzon

Author: PCE

Every prosecutor office is facing questions about rapidly emerging generative AI (GAI) technology and how to use it appropriately. This paper addresses the effective integration of GAI in a prosecutor’s office.

Author: PCE Staff

PCE at Work: An Annual Recap

Circuit Attorney’s Office of St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)

Population: 318,070 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 60 | Contact Information

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office has implemented a diversion program, supported by Innovative Prosecution Solutions, for defendants ages 18 to 25 who presented a moderate risk of re-offense. Participants are selected using the Ohio Risk Assessment System and a strict set of eligibility criteria. Once in the program, the young adults plead guilty to the crimes committed, regularly appear before a diversion judge, and are monitored by experienced probation officers.

Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (Newark, NJ)

Population: 808,290 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 129 | Contact Information

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office (ECPO) recognized the need to utilize social media evidence to successfully prosecute violent crime and drug trafficking. With help from Innovation Prosecution Solutions, ECPO developed a Special Prosecution Unit, which mines social media content to help prosecute violent crime by identifying involved organizations and individuals, evidence of criminal activity, victims, witnesses, and other relevant information for future prosecution.

Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office (Miami, FL)

Population: 2,752,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 300 | Contact Information

To address an increase in Juvenile homicides, shootings, and violent crime in the Miami area, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office embedded a multidisciplinary team funded by Innovative Prosecution Solutions in a local police station.

Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (Washington, DC) 

Population: 689,545 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 280 | Contact Information

Through a grant from Innovative Prosecution Solutions, the District of Columbia’s Office of the Attorney General (DCOAG) has created and implemented a restorative justice (RJ) program aimed at reducing the risk of reoffending among individuals between the ages of 12 and 24 who have committed low-level offenses (e.g., unlawful entry, theft). Upon the victim’s consent, DCOAG facilitates a mediation process between the victim, the offender, and their families.

Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office (Kansas City, MO)

Population: 700,310 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 65 | Contact Information

To address the proliferation of violent crime and gun use, the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (JCPAO) adopted a vertical prosecution protocol for crimes of violence. Instead of assigning isolated functions, prosecutors were given a case from referral to final disposition. JCPAO used Innovative Prosecution Solutions to fund regional, vertical prosecution for violent offenses occurring in areas most impacted by violence.

Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office (Detroit, MI)

Population: 1,793,561 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 180 | Contact Information

In order to reduce violence, The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office has established a dedicated team to respond to all non-fatal shootings (NFS) in one of its high need precincts. A vertically assigned team from the prosecutor’s office is responsible for the case from the initial incident through final judicial resolution.