New PCE Report: Investigating Opioid Overdose Deaths

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Author: PCE

To combat the opioid crisis, prosecutors and their partners must adopt multi-disciplinary approaches that provide solutions on a case-by-case basis. This report provides guidance for prosecutors on investigative steps and decision making, various examples of how prosecutor offices of all sizes have addressed these complex issues, and a self-survey to evaluate an office’s capacity to handle opioid-related challenges.

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The Role of the Modern Prosecutor: Spearheading Innovation

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Author: PCE

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.

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

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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.

The guide includes the following information:

  • An overview of I/DD and mental illness and the legal obligations involved when interacting with people with I/ DD or mental illness
  • Practical approaches for prosecutors to more effectively work with these populations, as victims, witnesses, or defendants
  • Examples of programs that prosecutors have either created or participated in that address the involvement of persons with I/DD or mental illness in the criminal justice system
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