CRM JST 275 1st Edition Lecture 13I. Prosecutorial Duties: Pre-Triala. Disclosure of evidence (Discovery)i. List of testimony and evidence to be used at trialii. Exculpatory evidence (Brady v Maryland, 1963) – evidence that suggest this person is innocentiii. Impeachment evidenceiv. Consequences if fail to discloseb. Plea bargainingi. Maximum possible chargeinitiate bargain (do they overcharge?)ii. “Going rate”iii. Why plea bargain?c. Prepare defense: challenge witness, plea, or alibi – affirmative II. Prosecutorial Duties: Trial & Aftera. Case-in-chiefi. Goes first in a trialii. Burden of proof – level b. Sentencingi. Recommendations1. i.e. based on severity of crime, risk to communityIII. Assistant Prosecutorsa. Typically out of law schooli. Gain experience with trialsii. Learn about law-in-actioniii. Develop skills (i.e. a “good case”)b. Working in the Courtroom Workgroupi. Learn through observation and mentoringii. Others in the workgroup…iii. Informal rules of case processing1. i.e. “going rates” and expectationsIV. Expansion of Prosecutorial Discretiona. Hydraulic model of discretioni. Where discretion is tempered – moves elsewhereb. Mandatory sentencing lawsi. Limiting judicial discretionii. Increases prosecutor’s discretion at charging and bargaining1. i.e. invoking repeat offender clause at charging2. i.e. substantial assistance departuresV. Prosecutorial Ethicsa. Adversarial systemb. Primary duty to seek justice (not conviction)i. Berger v U.S. (1935)ii. Wrong to convict the innocentiii. Should not operate outside of the lawVI. Prosecutorial Misconducta. Results: overturned, dismissal, disbarb. Includes:i. Courtroom misconduct1. Grand jury and trial jury procedures2. Badgering witnesses3. Inflammatory remarksii. Evidence problems:1. Mishandling evidence/statements2. Failing to disclose exculpatory evidence3. Using false or misleading evidenceiii. Harassing, bias against defendantiv. Sanctions: depend on intent1. None = no intent; reversal conviction, suspension, disbarmentVII. Community Prosecutiona. Used toi. Identify and solve problemsii. Enhance public safetyiii. Improve the quality of life in the communityb. Five core elementsi. Proactive approach to crimeii. A defined target areaiii. An emphasis on problem-solving, public safetyiv. Partnerships with law enforcement and communityv. Non-traditional enforcement methodsc. i.e. District 3 Operation PatrolVIII. Specialized Prosecution Unitsa. i.e. gang unit, SA unit, DV unit, drug crime unit (just examples; there can be more)b. Goals:i. Gain specialization and knowledge through routine casesii. Increase effectiveness, conviction rates and efficiencyiii. Problem-solving courts: understanding and victim
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