Technology is constantly changing and prosecution must change with it. From actual evidence to the data that determines crime trends, keeping up with the latest in tech can be overwhelming. Our resources dive into the expansive field with a focus on emerging technology as it relates to evidence and how data can shape the work of a prosecutor.
Author: PCE
A new form of evidence can now be found at millions of households across the country. The video doorbell, a device providing a live stream from the front door directly to a person’s phone, has already been used as evidence in countless cases. See how it can be used, the challenges of using a device, and more in our guide for prosecutors:
Author: PCE
Advances in technology are quickly changing the longstanding practices of traditional courtrooms. With this evolution, prosecutors must weigh the opportunities these advancements create against the legal and ethical duties of criminal litigation, as well as the practical considerations about the quality and reliability of any emerging technology. From remote appearance technology to artificial intelligence to data analytics, we explore the role of technology in the modern courtroom in our recent publication:
On April 4 -5 PCE’s National Best Practices Committee held an in-person meeting on “The Future of Prosecution Data”. The meeting was sponsored by the Karpel Foundation. Booklet and materials. Read more
On October 18, 2022, PCE hosted part one of a series on how crime analysts can improve prosecutions. On September 29, 2023, PCE hosted part two of the series. Read more
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… Read more
Summit County Prosecutor’s Office (Akron, OH) Population: 537,600 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 60 | Contact Information The Summit County Prosecutor’s Office (SCPO) has improved office culture using a variety… Read more
Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office (San Jose, CA) Population: 1,924,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 190 | Contact Information The Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office (SCDA) has developed a… Read more
Authors: PCE and Gaelin Bernstein Read about the various essential tasks that a crime analyst can perform in a prosecutor office. Read more
Arizona Prosecuting Attorney’s Advisory Council (Phoenix, AZ) Population: 7,174,000 | Number of Members: 858 | Contact Information The Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council (APAAC) has developed a public, internet accessible… Read more
Yolo County District Attorney’s Office (Woodland, CA) Population: 220,410 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 42 | Contact Information Created with nonprofit Measures for Justice, the Commons Data Transparency Portal aims… Read more
Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office (Philadelphia, PA) Population: 1,603,797 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 300 | Contact Information In November of 2019, the DATA (District Attorney’s Transparency Analytics) Lab was established… Read more
King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (King County, WA) Population: 2,269,675 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 294 | Contact Information Utilizing the office’s Prosecutor by Karpel case management system to examine… Read more
Office of the State Attorney of the Fourth Judicial Circuit (Jacksonville, FL) Population: 1,265,632 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 110 | Contact Information Created with Florida International University and Loyola… Read more
Author: PCE A modern prosecutor embraces and uses data. Data is central to a prosecutor’s work as it can inform policy decisions, guide management, provide transparency and allow for research…. Read more
On February 3, 2022, the PCE Pop-Up focused on Data Dashboards. Here are the materials and videos of the presentations. Read more
Location: Virtual (previously Salt Lake City, UT) Time: 9:30 AM (EST) – 5 PM (EST) To view agenda Click Here. To view meeting booklet Click Here. Read more
Location: Virtual (previously Salt Lake City, UT) Oct 15, 2020 – 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Time: 9:30 AM (EST) – 5 PM (EST) Details: For prosecutors only. To view… Read more
Author(s): Kristine Hamann and Rachel Smith Technology is expanding, evolving, and improving at an explosive rate. Society, including law enforcement, is struggling to keep pace with these seemingly daily developments…. Read more
Author(s): Kristine Hamann As police departments across the United States embrace the use of police body-worn cameras, the cameras will inevitably capture a great deal of evidentiary material that will… Read more
Author(s): Kristine Hamann, PCE As police departments across the United States embrace the use of police body-worn cameras (“BWCs”), it is imperative that prosecutors be involved in the uptake process… Read more
Author(s): Kristine Hamann, PCE Prosecutors are obligated to provide timely and complete discovery, particularly with regard to exculpatory and impeachment material. The discovery process can be complex and time consuming…. Read more
At the heart of our profession is a commitment to ethical behavior. With changes in the criminal justice system and, on a larger scale, our society, we’re faced with ethical challenges regularly.
Author: PCE
This publication provides a list of rules of professional conduct, ethics opinions, CLE requirements, and state statutes relevant to attorneys’ cybersecurity obligations.
Authors: PCE and KC Steckelberg (Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan)
Read about strategies for working with the press including, ethical rules and guidelines, developing a communications strategy and special considerations for various aspects of a case.
This paper explores methods that can be used by prosecutor offices across the country to identify and disclose police impeachment material. Statewide efforts to standardize impeachment disclosure also are examined…. Read more
Author: PCE Read more
Author: PCE This publication provides links to ABA Model Rules with supporting sections and comments relevant to cybersecurity. Read more
Arizona Prosecuting Attorney’s Advisory Council (Phoenix, AZ) Population: 7,174,000 | Number of Members: 858 | Contact Information The Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council (APAAC) has developed a public, internet accessible… Read more
PCE Pop-Ups review current topics through presentations and breakout groups. December 8, 2021 we discussed Empowering Ethical Prosecution. Read more
PCE has created materials on community trust, community involvement, implicit bias, and more. Watch videos from seasoned prosecutors, read our publications, and explore topics that can help your office gain trust in the community
Authors: PCE, PCE’s National Best Practices Committee (NBP)
Beyond their traditional role in the criminal justice process, many prosecutor offices provide outreach programs to raise awareness in the community about public safety issues and resources, to create stronger community partnerships, and to improve the lives of the people they serve. This paper features prosecutor initiatives that go the extra step to support local youth in various ways, most of which are not associated with a criminal case.
Author: PCE’s National Best Practices Committee (NBP) In this paper, the NBP explores the use of Community Advisory Boards for building stronger community partnerships and improving prosecutors’ role in the… Read more
Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, St. Paul MN Population: 550,210 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 101 | Contact Learn how Ramsey County greatly reduced low-level equipment traffic stops, and related racial… Read more
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… Read more
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… Read more
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… Read more
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office (San Diego, CA) Population: 3,298,634 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 330 | Contact Information The San Diego County District Attorney (SDCDA) has developed a… Read more
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office (San Diego, CA) Population: 3,343,340 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 330 | Contact Information After evaluating calls for service, crime data, and multiple community… Read more
Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office (San Jose, CA) Population: 1,924,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 190 | Contact Information The Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office (SCDA) has developed a… Read more
Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office (Montgomery, AL) Population: 199,054 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 26 | Contact Information The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office (MCDA) has initiated a prosecutor led… Read more
Authors: PCE, New York County District Attorney’s Office, San Diego District Attorney’s Office, and Queens District Attorney’s Office -What does bias look like?-How can prosecutors reduce bias when working with their… Read more
Office of the Platte County Prosecutor, Platte County MO Population: 102,848 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 13 The Platte County Prosecutor’s Office provides information connecting jurors with free mental health services… Read more
Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association (Harrisburg, PA) State Population: 13,002,700 | Contact Information In partnership with the Villanova law school, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association launched a four-part virtual briefing series… Read more
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office (Kansas City, MO) Population: 700,310 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 75 | Contact Information With a focus on the urban core of the jurisdiction, the Jackson… Read more
Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney (City of Alexandria, VA) Population: 160,505 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 14 | Contact Information In the summer of 2020, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office initiated… Read more
On March 10, 2022, the PCE Pop-Up focused on Prosecutors Evolving Use of Community Advisory Boards. Read more
Morris County Prosecutor’s Office (Morris County, NJ) Population: 492,715 | Contact Information The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office has teamed up with the Morris County Superior Court and the Morris County Sherriff’s… Read more
Author: PCE Read about how prosecutors can address injustice through better collaboration with the communities they serve. Read more
On January 11, 2021, PCE hosted a Pop-Up discussion on community engagement with presentations on connection, outreach and re-entry, creating a community advisory board, and moving cases out of the… Read more
Location: Virtual Date and Time: Monday, January 11, 2021 from noon (EST) – 2:00 PM (EST) Details: Click here for meeting booklet Read more
Davis County District Attorney’s Office (Farmington, UT) Population: 355,481 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 19 | Contact Information The Davis County District Attorney’s Office has engaged community volunteers to establish the Conviction… Read more
Ingham County District Attorney’s Office (Lansing, MI) Population: 292,406 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 34 | Contact Information In the Ingham County District Attorney’s Office, prosecutors are no longer filing cases… Read more
Authors: PCE and National Black Prosecutors Association As we know, prosecutors must be fact-based and fair in the pursuit of justice. Prosecutors cannot base their judgements on whim, bias or… Read more
One of the many benefits of being part of the Best Practices network is the ability to share information with prosecutors across the country about promising programs and how to… Read more
Authors: PCE, NRTAC
As the demand for forensic evidence has exploded, so has the pressure on crime laboratories to keep pace with an ever-growing workload. This paper, developed by PCE’s Executive Director Kristine Hamann and St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office Chief of Trials Rachel Smith, addresses the critical question of how best to maximize the resources of a public forensic laboratory. This question is explored in three different parts, each with an emphasis on the prosecutor’s perspective:
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The Problem: According to a 2019 article from the Department of Education, over seven million (or one in six students) missed 15 or more days of school in the 2015-2016 school year. The highest rates of absenteeism occurred at the high school level, where chronically absent students also represent those most likely to drop out. Dropping out of high school has been linked to poor outcomes in adulthood, from poverty and diminished health to involvement in the criminal justice system.
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Author(s): Kristine Hamann and Rachel Smith
Technology is expanding, evolving, and improving at an explosive rate. Society, including law enforcement, is struggling to keep pace with these seemingly daily developments. This paper addresses facial recognition technology used by law enforcement to enhance surveillance capabilities and the associated legal issues it raises.
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The Pima County Attorney’s Office in Arizona has established a volunteer program for members of the community interested in assisting crime victims and people in crisis. The vetting and training process for victim advocate volunteers is very thorough to ensure high quality candidates are selected and are committed to long-term volunteer service. The Victim Services Division currently has close to 100 volunteers, some of whom have served for decades.
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According to the National Center on Aging, approximately one in ten Americans over age 60 has experienced some form of elder abuse. Furthermore, financial exploitation of seniors costs between $2.9 billion and $36.5 billion annually.
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Author(s): Kristine Hamann
As police departments across the United States embrace the use of police body-worn cameras, the cameras will inevitably capture a great deal of evidentiary material that will be useful in every type of criminal prosecution. The impact of this new source of evidence has yet to be fully realized.
Author(s): Kristine Hamann, PCE and John Delaney
Violent crime prosecutors do difficult and important work. In October 2017, fifteen seasoned violent-crime prosecutors spent a day and a half sharing their ideas about how to improve the investigation of violent crimes at a meeting sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. Though the group had much in common, it was quickly apparent that there are a variety of approaches to their work.
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