PCE Newsletter – June 2023

New York County District Attorney’s Office (New York, NY)

Population: 1,630,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 525

In Manhattan, the District Attorney’s Office of New York, brought in expert instructors  to train investigators and prosecutors in Science Based Interview (SBI) techniques derived from research conducted by members of U.S. Intelligence Agencies in support of the High Value Detainee Interrogation Group. The methods of interviewing are based on scientific research and designed to improve communication with suspects, victims and witnesses.

Office of the State’s Attorney for Howard County (Ellicott City, MD)

Population: 330,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 45 | Contact Information

The Office of the State’s Attorney for Howard County Maryland (OSAHC) has partnered with local law enforcement, the Public Defender’s Office and County and State authorities to  develop a post arrest, pre-charging Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program (LEAD) that addresses a variety of criminogenic needs in an effort to reduce convictions for low level offenders.

Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, 20th Judicial District (Boulder, CO)

Population: 330,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 40 | Contact Information

The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office  (BCDA) has an Acute Response Team for Domestic Violence Incidents (DV ART) that employs a lethality assessment for every case within 24 hours.  Cases with high risks for lethality are flagged for personal contact with 48 hours of an event in order to build trust with victims, provide immediate resources and gather important historical information and evidence.

San Diego Office of the City Attorney (San Diego, CA)

Population: 1,380,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 183 | Contact Information

The San Diego City Attorney’s Office (SDCA) is using California’s Red Flag Laws to prevent gun violence, before it happens, using a state law that allows law enforcement to seize weapons from individuals who have been proved a danger to themselves or others.  Since 2018, SDCA has partnered with law enforcement to file and enforce over 1.000 gun violence restraining orders (GVRO).

Office of the Florida State Attorney, 8th Judicial District (Gainesville, FL)

Population: 415,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 45 | Contact Information

The Office of the Florida State’s Attorney for the 8^th Judicial Circuit (SAO8th)  has partnered with Technologies for Justice to harness sentencing data from the Florida Department of Corrections in order to provide prosecutors with information about average sentences imposed for similarly situated offenders.  Access to this data is given to prosecutors prior to making a plea offer, reducing unsubstantiated deviations.  By using a neutral starting point and sharing it with defense counsel, it is hoped that disparities based on unexamined or intentional bias will be reduced in favor of more equitable plea bargains.        

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office (San Diego, CA)

Population: 3,343,360 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 330 | Contact Information

The San Diego County District Attorney (SDCDA)  has partnered with the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) to provide a webpage and live chat link feature that gives victims immediate access to ITRC’s experts in preventing and recovering from identity theft.  This tool allows the office to refer victims to necessary resources, even when a case cannot be prosecuted.

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office (San Diego, CA)

Population: 3,298,634 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 330 | Contact Information

The San Diego County District Attorney (SDCDA)  has developed a web based application that can be used from any computer or mobile device to access cultural information about various communities in San Diego County.  The Cultural Awareness Project originated with input from SDCDA’s Faith Leader’s Advisory Board and multiple focus groups with representative members of each community, the application provides valuable information about common beliefs, traditions, and historical perspective on law enforcement interactions.