Brief Collecting and Using Data for Prosecutorial Decisionmaking
Subtitle
Findings from 2018 National Survey of State Prosecutors’ Offices
Robin Olsen, Leigh Courtney, Chloe Warnberg, Julie Samuels
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This brief summarizes findings from a national survey of state prosecutors’ offices and offers insights for prosecutors, policymakers, and other stakeholders on how prosecutors collect and use data to manage their offices, understand trends, and evaluate their success. The survey shows that while many prosecutors are using data to inform critical operational and case decisions—and many more have an interest in building their capacity to do so—barriers such as concerns about data accuracy and lack of resources often stand in the way of widespread and systematic incorporation of data in prosecutorial decisionmaking. The brief also includes a tool to help prosecutors assess their offices’ current data capacity, and makes recommendations for those interested in expanding their collection and use of data.

Read the related fact sheet

Read the tool

Read the appendixes

Research Areas Crime, justice, and safety
Tags Courts and sentencing Criminal prosecution
Policy Centers Justice Policy Center