Building a More Equitable and Effective Justice System

We need to create a more fair and effective system so we can resolve criminal cases in ways that help victims while ensuring that offenders will not return to the justice system. We also need to ensure that our justice system is held accountable for making the best possible decisions to protect the community.

​

When I first became a Deputy District Attorney, I was astounded that there was no data or formal training to assist us as we tried to resolve cases, help victims, and hold offenders accountable. I learned that prosecutors use their best judgement to try to resolve cases justly. However, the inherent differences between different DAs can lead to disparate outcomes. No formal system exists to track outcomes and determine whether they are successful. I think we can do better.

​

The Denver District Attorney’s Office collects a variety of data about its cases. That data captures the types of cases filed; whether they are resolved via plea deals, trials, or dismissals; and what types of sentences are imposed. But while this data is collected, there is no formal system in place to analyze it. The DA's office has yet to try to use this data to analyze whether the office's efforts lead to a positive result.

 

I am urging District Attorneys Offices to perform a study of past cases to determine what sorts of resolutions led to the best outcomes. We can determine the types of resolutions that helped victims the most and led to the lowest rates of recidivism; we can look at what types of interventions helped offenders get clean and kept them off the streets; we can look at what types of sentences put the parties in a position to succeed in the future. And once we have analyzed that information, we can provide it to the prosecutors as they work to resolve those cases. They can then utilize the information to reach more effective outcomes, increasing the safety of our community.

​

Not only can this evidence-based system of prosecution help to improve outcomes, this system can also  help to eliminate disparities in how different individuals are treated, making our work more equitable. We can use the data to ensure that everyone is treated the same, regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual preferences, gender identity, or background.

​

Using readily available data, we can build a more just and equitable system that will make our community safer now and in the long run.