Prosecutors’ offices aim to promote public peace and safety through smart and fair prosecution of offenders who pose a risk. Prosecutors' offices are tasked with effectively addressing violent crime and ensuring the wellfare of the communities they serve. Performance indicators centered on the goals of Community Safety and Well-Being assess whether the DA's Office addresses violent crime and crime against marginalized communities, enhances the overall well-being of the community, and – like other sectors of government - is focused on improving the lives of citizens.
What kinds of questions can we ask? We can think about this as answering a few questions: Are we successfully addressing serious crime? Are we meeting the needs of victims - reaching out to them, focusing on vulnerable populations, focusing on disadvantaged neighborhoods? Are we successfully engaging the community by attending meetings or ensuring witness cooperation.
Public safety should remain a prosecutorial priority. Through the use of community prosecution strategies, selective incapacitation, alternative sanctions, and rehabilitation and treatment, the prosecutor’s office plays a critical role in preventing violent crime.
The chart below shows the number of person and sex crimes filed by the DA's Office each year. It is important to look at filings for person and sex cases in relation to the number of the referrals the office receives of such cases from law enforcement.
Public safety also includes the level of serious drug cases filed. Distribution of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of narcotics/methamphetamine are also serious threats to public safety and well-being.
The chart below shows the number of felony drug crimes filed by the DA's Office each year. It is important to look at filings for felony drug cases in relation to the number of the referrals the office receives of such cases from law enforcement.
Frequent acquittals for violent crimes jeopardize public safety and community well-being. When prosecutors choose to bring a violent case to trial, they should ensure conviction. Serious cases are only dismissed when there are significant changes to the admissible evidence, e.g., new evidence coming to light, witnesses or victims change their statements or cannot be located, etc.
The chart below shows the percent of person or sex crimes disposed by the DA's Office each year that resulted in a dismissal or acquittal.
Violence against children and teenagers has negative consequences for their development and later life outcomes. Tracking violence against youths helps shape prosecutorial strategies for serving these victims and reducing future victimization.
The chart below shows the number person or sex crimes filed by the DA's Office that involve children each year. It is important to look at filings for person and sex crimes involving child victims in relation to the number of the referrals the office receives of such cases from law enforcement.
Evidentiary difficulties make it challenging to serve the interests of sexual assault victims because they hinder prosecutors’ ability to prove their cases. Through effective partnership with victims, collaboration with other agencies, and use of sexual assault kits and other forensic evidence, prosecutors can secure convictions.
The chart below shows the percent of sex offense cases filed by the DA's Office that result in a conviction.