Survey Research with Prosecutor Offices

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

This panel will share findings and lessons learned about large data collection efforts on prosecutor offices across the country. Each paper discussed in this session focuses on conducting surveys of prosecutor offices and the challenges associated with engaging the legal system actor in research. The authors of the National Survey of Prosecutors and the National Survey of Prosecutor-Involved Restorative Justice Programs reveal results from their efforts, and we conclude with an introduction to the Census of Prosecutor Offices, which will be conducted in 2025.
Panelists will discuss their findings on topics such as felony case outcomes, restorative justice, diversion, caseloads, and other operational characteristics. Conducting research with legal system actors in general is challenging, so presenters will be discussing their methodology and what efforts they took to overcome their challenges.

Sub Unit

• Area VI. The Criminal Justice System / 42. Prosecutorial Discretion and Plea Bargaining

Individual Presentations

• The 2020 National Survey of Prosecutors - George Ebo Browne, DOJ / OJP / Bureau of Justice Statistics; Mark Motivans, Bureau of Justice Statistics, US DOJ

• Findings from a National Survey of Prosecutor-Involved Restorative Justice Programs for Serious and Violent Offenses - Lily Robin, The Urban Institute; Leigh Courtney, Urban Institute; Andreea Matei, Urban Institute; Russell Rowe, Urban Institute

• The Census of Prosecutor Offices - Andreea Matei, Urban Institute; William Adams, The Urban Institute; George Ebo Browne, DOJ / OJP / Bureau of Justice Statistics