Innovations Blog

Union County Prosecutor’s Office (Elizabeth, NJ)

Population: 600,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors:65 | Contact Information

The Safe Place Initiative, a program that began in Seattle, is now making Union County, New Jersey a safer place. The Union County Prosecutor’s Office, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, organizations, and businesses, established the program in an effort to combat bias and hate crimes.

Office of the District Attorney, 21st Judicial District (Mesa County, CO)

Population: 150,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors:27 | Contact Information

The Colorado 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the local school district and Colorado Mesa University, has developed a program aimed at helping kids in potentially difficult situations before it escalates to legal trouble. The Lighthouse Program intervenes early, providing resources to youths and their families in an effort to divert them from the court system and prepare them for future success.

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.

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.

El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office (El Dorado County, CA)

Population: 193,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors:25 | Contact Information

The District Attorney’s Office in El Dorado County, California (DAED) is spearheading a national effort to train law enforcement 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.