The role of the prosecutor remains one of the least understood and least transparent in American government. Unlike police, prosecutors exercise their significant power almost entirely without regulation or civilian or government oversight. Much of what prosecutors do occurs—and remains—behind closed doors.
It’s time to unlock the black box of prosecution. This guide is a tool to help both community members and prosecutors evaluate the policies and practices that shape the decisions line attorneys make. It can also serve as a starting point for conversations between prosecutors and the communities they serve about how they can reshape their role and the justice system as a whole.