Low-Level Crime Strategies

Office of the District Attorney, Eighth Judicial District (Larimer & Jackson County, CO)

Population: 225,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors:42 | Contact Information

The Office of the District Attorney for Colorado’s 8^th Judicial District (CDA 8th)  has developed a pre-plea diversion program that has been dramatically expanded so that every incoming misdemeanor is screened by a dedicated team that proactively looks for good candidates who can participate in appropriate services or restorative justice processes.

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.

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.        

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (St. Louis, MO)

Population: 996,179 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 66 | Contact Information

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (SLCPA) partnered with the Court, Public Defender, and the County Library to create a “Tap In Center” where community members can get legal help in order to clear warrants and take care of issues in criminal cases that would normally require a court appearance.  The program was launched in order to provide better access to services in a non-threatening environment, that caters to people who work or have childcare obligations during normal court hours.