16 Criminal Justice Reform, Police Misconduct, and State Attorneys General 16 Criminal Justice Reform, Police Misconduct, and State Attorneys General
16.1 Introduction 16.1 Introduction
16.1.1 General Introduction 16.1.1 General Introduction
As the state’s chief law enforcement officer, AGs frequently are involved in criminal justice efforts, as a matter of legislative action, prosecutorial discretion, or defending the state. This does not depend on the enxtent of their criminal authority. Likewise, as states grapple with the issue of police misconduct, many of the proposed solutions involve the AG.
16.1.2 Detailed Roadmap to Core Readings 16.1.2 Detailed Roadmap to Core Readings
Although all AGs are involved in criminal justice initiatives, the reading looks at the unique case of the DE AG, who has authority over all state prosecutions and thus can, and did, effectuate statewide change by herself. You should evaluate the reforms and the implications of those reforms.
The readings then consider the issue of police misconduct and what AGs can or should do about it. To set the stage, read the Wash. Post article on the cost of police misconduct through civil rights suits against police departments. Then, consider the various AG approaches taken or recommended to deal with police misconduct and police shootings and consider what works, and what doesn't work.
16.2 Criminal Justice Reform 16.2 Criminal Justice Reform
16.2.1. DE AG Jennings tells prosecutors to seek lesser prison sentences for some crimes, Delaware News Journal (Feb. 19, 2019)
16.3 Police Misconduct 16.3 Police Misconduct
16.3.1. What you need to know about the cost of police misconduct, Wash. Post (Mar. 10, 2022)
Police Misconduct is expensive!