The Role of the Modern Prosecutor: Spearheading Innovation

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.

Authors: PCE and Aequitas

Authors: PCE, DANY, Bronx District Attorney’s Office, and Aequitas

Modern prosecutors no longer simply react to arrests, but instead they engage with their communities, learn about crime trends, and ask broader questions about how to improve public safety in a manner that is effective and fair.

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”.

Davis County District Attorney’s Office (Farmington, UT)

The Davis County District Attorney’s Office engaged community volunteers to establish the Conviction Integrity Unit which runs independently of the office to review convictions.

Ingham County District Attorney’s Office (Lansing, MI)

In the Ingham County District Attorney’s Office, prosecutors are no longer filing cases that result from non-safety traffic stops, even where contraband may be discovered.

Monroe County District Attorney’s Office (Rochester, NY)

Population: 741,770 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 85 | Contact Information

The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office is asking jurors to survey the grand jury process and the performance of prosecutors and other justice partners during their service. While juror concerns are used to inform prosecutor training needs, positive comments are also shared with the office as part of a popular employee recognition program. This recognition is highly desired by prosecutors.

Summit County District Attorney’s Office (Akron, OH) 

Population: 541,013 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 63 | Contact Information

As a new office strategy, grand jurors and trial jurors are asked to survey the performance of prosecutors and other justice partners to identify training needs and promote better case preparation. The use of surveys has also been expanded to address staff concerns about working conditions, such as office safety protocols in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.  

Authors: PCE

Location: Virtual (previously Salt Lake City, UT)

To view agenda Click Here.

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