Talking with San Diego’s Chief Deputy DA Tracy Prior about Remote Preliminary Hearings

Post Image

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. 

Chief Deputy District Attorney Tracy Prior shares how San Diego conducts preliminary hearings by using a combination of Microsoft Teams, social distancing in the courtroom, and a secure, separate phone line that the defendant and defense attorney can use to communicate privately.

Read More

Virtual Panel Discussion: Prosecuting in a Pandemic

Post Image

May 2020 – Arizona State University School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, The Morrison Institute for Public Policy, Prosecutors’ Center for Excellence. View the webinar

  • Panelists: Allister Adel (Maricopa County Attorney), Darcel Clark (Bronx District Attorney), Jon Gould (ASU), Kristine Hamann (PCE), Jeff Reisig (Yolo County District Attorney).
  • Additional Materials: May 2020 – Pandemic: A Natural Experiment for Reducing Incarceration Prosecutors Say – ASU Now. Click here

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

Post Image

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.   

Read More

Victims, Witnesses, and Defendants with Mental Illness or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Post Image

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. 

Read More

Innovative Prosecutor Programs

Post Image

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.

Read More