Did you Know?

Prosecutors are facing a growing backlog at every stage of a prosecution. Reducing the backlog will require new thinking and new approaches.  The backlog has also increased the pressure to try cases during the pandemic.

With input from prosecutors around the country, PCE has collected suggestions for addressing the backlog and trying cases during the pandemic.

In November 2020, the National Black Prosecutors Association in collaboration with PCE and other partners hosted a four-hour training that examined biases in the criminal justice system, using scientific data and case studies. Approximately 300 participants were provided with actionable strategies to bring about a more equitable justice system and to maintain the integrity of the legal system.

The role of the prosecutor has evolved dramatically over the last 40 years. PCE highlights a sampling of prosecutor innovations in this new report that dives into 221 programs from 150 prosecutor offices from across the country. 

Interactive Map: Find prosecutor innovations by state, office, or program category with our new interactive map, which illustrates the breadth of innovation in the U.S. by highlighting 250+ programs in 150+ offices.

Presentation moderator Kristine Hamann of PCE discusses reducing the criminal justice footprint with Assistant DA Nicole Ortsman-Dauer (New York County, NY) and DA Beth McCann (Denver, CO) at the October Best Practices Conference, “The Modern Prosecutor As Problem Solver – Looking to Data and Collaboration for Solutions”.

An essential part of a prosecutor’s work is uncovering actual innocence through conviction review. PCE has developed a roadmap for offices of any size seeking to implement or enhance a Conviction Review Unit or a conviction review process. 

Ramsey County (MN) Attorney John Choi and Lucy Lang, former Director of the Institute for Innovation (IIP) in Prosecution, discuss an officer-involved fatalities toolkit spearheaded by IIP. 

Watch here. (26 minutes)

The Delaware Attorney General’s Office has a dedicated Community Engagement Unit that strives to create a safer community through consistent collaboration with the community and many outreach programs from resource fairs to reentry support. A member of the unit was formerly incarcerated and has provided invaluable assistance with community engagement.

Dan Clark, Chief of the Criminal Division in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (WA), shares strategies for prosecutors on how to facilitate discussions about race, social justice and equity. 

Prosecutor offices across the country are enlisting the help of trained courthouse facility dogs to provide comfort and support to vulnerable witnesses and victims throughout various stages of the criminal justice process. These dogs undergo at least a two-year training period and are specifically bred to detect a person’s stress level.

Robert M. Morgenthau was the District Attorney of New York County (Manhattan) from 1975 to 2010.  He was legendary for his intelligence, integrity and courage.  He was ahead of his time and led the way for today’s modern prosecutors. 

In honor of what would have been his 101 birthday today, learn about his early innovations here (1 minute).