Opioids

Prosecutors across the nation face challenging questions regarding their role in reducing the fatal consequences of the opioid epidemic. In order to help address these questions, the National District Attorney’s Association (NDAA) created an Opioids Working Group to research and propose effective policy for prosecuting and diverting overdose related cases. The practices identified in the working group in the areas of enforcement, prevention, and treatment are provided in a white paper.

Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office (Long Beach, CA)

Population: 462,628 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 17 | Contact Information

To address chronic problems related to mental health, homelessness, and recidivism, the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office partnered with Laserfiche, a private company, to develop an app that law enforcement officers can use on patrol to access critical information such as warrants, stay away court orders, probation, or parole or diversion status.

Office of the State Attorney of the Fourth Judicial Circuit (Jacksonville, FL)

Population: 1,265,632 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 110 | Contact Information

The Fourth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office (SAO) is using a multifaceted approach to combat increased gang violence. Under an Innovative Prosecution Solutions grant, the SAO is strengthening its Targeted Prosecution Unit to promote evidence-based prosecution and develop a strategic plan to address gang violence through prevention, intervention, and correction.

Office of the Prosecuting Attorney (Hawaii County, HI)

Population: 201,513 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 34 | Contact Information

In order to address the growing problem of witness intimidation and a lack of repeat offender management, the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney (OPA) used grant funding from Innovative Prosecution Solutions to create a Coordinated Community Response Task Force (CCR) comprised of criminal justice organizations and intensified support service providers.

Office of the Genesee County Prosecuting Attorney (Flint, MI)

Population: 404,063 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 41 | Contact Information

In order to address deficiencies in timely information sharing regarding local crime drivers, the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office (GCPO) Crime Strategies Unit (CSU) is investing in NC4 Street Smart technology, which produces crime bulletins to alert officers to issues in the field and allows up-to-date information to be transmitted instantaneously.

Denver District Attorney’s Office (Denver, CO)

Population: 716,490 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 94 | Contact Information

In response to unsolved gang related crime, the Denver District Attorney’s Office is utilizing an Innovative Prosecution Solutions grant to fund a Digital Evidence Task Force (DETF).  The DETF uses cutting-edge technology to extract cell phone data on-scene for immediate use in ongoing investigations.

Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (New Orleans, LA)

Population: 390,845 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 57 | Contact Information

To curb the opioid epidemic, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office received grant funding through Innovative Prosecution Solutions (IPS) to develop a Rapid-Response Overdose Homicide Unit, staffed by a dedicated prosecutor and a data analytics team from the Louisiana Public Health Institute. The Unit expedites and streamlines the collection evaluation of overdose crime scene evidence and generates intelligence.

Hocking County Prosecutor’s Office (Logan, OH)

Population: 28,264 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 4 | Contact Information

Through an Innovative Prosecution Solutions initiative, the Hocking County Prosecutor’s Office (HCPO) is developing a diversion program for individuals with substance abuse issues who have committed specified low-level criminal offenses and are in need of community-based substance abuse and behavioral health services as an alternative to incarceration.

Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office (Conyers, GA)

Population: 91,678 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 13 | Contact Information

Through funding from Innovative Prosecution Solutions, the Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office (RCDA) developed a comprehensive homicide initiative to reduce domestic violence killings. The RCDA has created a Domestic Violence Response Team of victim advocates, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors that meet monthly to identify and target high risk offenders.

Cobb County District Attorney’s Office (Marietta, GA)

Population: 766,149 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 50 | Contact Information

Using Innovative Prosecution Solutions (IPS) funding, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office (CCDA), Cobb County Police Department, LiveSafe community organization, and researchers at Kennesaw State University, worked to analyze and improve Cobb County’s response to sexual violence crimes.