by Jane | Apr 30, 2019 | New York
The publication of a new report presents hard questions of one of the country’s most famous prosecutors, making a case that he used his discretion in unrestrained and unfair ways to bring charges against young people of color. The report, published by CUNY Law...
by Bert | Feb 6, 2019 | National, Notable
Prosecutorial power comes in many forms. In some ways, District Attorneys’ ‘soft’ power—the influence they wield outside of the courtroom and inside other halls of power—can be equally damaging to both public policy and case outcomes as their use of discretion in...
by Bert | Jan 23, 2019 | National
There has been a more robust dialogue lately about “Brady lists”—lists of discredited police officers whom prosecutors either refuse to rely upon as witnesses or whose cases they refuse to prosecute. These lists can play an important role in ensuring that a...
by Bert | Aug 29, 2018 | National
It is no secret that the American justice system, premised on an individual’s right to a fair trial, has turned into a plea-bargain factory. Case after case is resolved by a plea rather than a trial in front of one’s peers. Not because every defendant is guilty, but...
by Bert | Jun 29, 2018 | Washington
“If you’re suggesting that my prosecutorial discretion was for sale, I absolutely reject that.”—King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg A situation long brewing in King County raises important ethical questions, both locally and nationally. Investigative...
