|
The mission of the American Prosecutors Research Institute is to provide state and local prosecutors knowledge, skills and support to ensure that justice is done and the public safety rights of all persons are safeguarded. To accomplish this mission, APRI serves as a nationwide, interdisciplinary resource center for research and development, technical assistance, training and publications reflecting the highest standards and cutting-edge practices of the prosecutorial profession. |
|
|
APRI has published a Special Topics series to provide important information to prosecutors in a concise, reader-friendly format. Here are the Special Topics publications.
- Child Abuse
- Community Prosecution
- DNA Forensics
- Drug Prosecution & Prevention
- Gun Violence Prosecution
- Identity Crime/White Collar Crime
- Juvenile Justice
- Research
- Traffic Law
- Violence Against Women
|
|
Select a topic below for highlights in that area. |
Child Abuse |
DNA Forensics |
Community Prosecution |
Gang Response Model |
Homeland Security |
Gun Violence Prosecution |
Juvenile Justice |
Identity Crime |
Traffic Law |
Research |
|
Violence Against Women |
|
|
|
Update Contact Information |
UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION - We need your email addresses. All course notifications and information will be sent via email in the future.
Update Contact Information ... here.
For more information, go to National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse. |
|
SPECIAL TOPICS SERIES
Community Prosecution Techniques to Reduce Drug-Related Gang Activity
Within the last decade or so, gangs have migrated to suburban and, in some instances, rural jurisdictions across America. Community prosecutors are uniquely situated to proactively implement strategies that anticipate potential neighborhood problems and create safer communities. This monograph offers community prosecution tools that reduce gang crime by using trespass laws to eliminate gang “hot spots.”
Download publication
For more information, go to National Center for Community Prosecution publications and the National Center for Community Prosecution
|
|
DNA Evidence Policy Considerations for the Prosecutor |
DNA evidence catapulted criminal justice into a new era. Never before have prosecutors had a more powerful tool at their disposal for determining the identity of persons who commit crime. There are few techniques in the history of forensic science that have been more thoroughly scrutinized and validated than forensic DNA testing.
For more information, go to DNA Forensics Program
|
|
The American Prosecutors Research Institute, the research, development and technical assistance arm of the National District Attorneys Association, has developed a comprehensive response to gang crime for prosecutors and law enforcement officers. NDAA’s Gang Response Model will provide prosecutors and law enforcement with the necessary skill set to successfully implement the seven major components to address gang violence.
For more information, go to Gang Response Model. |
|
Drug-Linked Firearms Cases |
A Primer for Prosecution - Illegal drug-linked firearms crime represents some of the most difficult casework a prosecutor can undertake. This publication is offered to help state and local prosecutors new to drug and gun prosecution to understand these challenges and to help them assess, prepare and prosecute drug-related firearms cases in state or federal court.
For more information, go to Gun Violence Prosecution Program |
|
The Homeland Security Program is a joint project between the American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI) the research, development and technical assistance arm of the National District Attorneys Association and the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA). The Homeland Security Program proposes to implement the 9/11 Commission’s key recommendation for incorporating criminal investigations and supervision in the homeland security process on the state and local level. This collaboration will train community corrections officers and prosecutors across the country in techniques for identifying potential terrorist or terrorist-supporting activities.
For more information, go to Homeland Security Program |
|
Who's on First?
Challenges Facing Prosecutors and Financial Institutions in Responding to Identity Theft -- To facilitate dialogue and cooperation between financial institutions and prosecutors, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice funded a project by the American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI) in partnership with First Data Corporation and the STAR®Network. The purpose of the project was to pinpoint common problems and obstacles facing financial institutions and prosecutors and share the recommended solutions that they can use to work together successfully. This report represents the culmination of those efforts by presenting recommended strategies for collaboration between prosecutors and financial institutions.
Download PDF publication ... here
For more information, go to National Center for Prosecution of Identity Crime
|
|
A Prosecutor’s Guide to Psychological Evaluations and Competency Challenges in Juvenile Court |
This monograph is divided into three parts, with appendices. Part I covers the basics of psychological evaluations, including a discussion of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the “bible” of mental illness diagnosis. Part II addresses the emerging issue of competency to stand trial and competency to waive Miranda rights. Part III addresses preparation for examination of an expert witness. In Appendix I the reader will find a discussion of the Benchmarks of Adolescent Development, essential information for a prosecutor and any expert witness who assesses a juvenile’s behavior. Appendix II is an example of IQ scores in an evaluation report, with a discussion of the significance of the subtest results.
Download publication
For more information, go to National Juvenile Justice Prosecution Center
|
|
Performance Measures for Prosecutors |
Findings from the Application of Performance Measures in Two Prosecutors’ Offices
How is success measured in prosecution? Is it conviction rates, the outcome of a single high profile case, a low number of plea bargains, or less crime? What information can prosecutors use to justify funding requests, respond to vague criticism of office performance, or to make management decisions?
In 2003, with funding from the National Institute of Justice and the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, the American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI), the research and development division of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), began to tackle this issue by convening a group of experienced prosecutors, policymakers, economists, and academics to develop a performance measurement framework for prosecutors. The resulting Prosecution for the 21st Century performance measurement framework, shown in Exhibit 1, identifies measurable goals and objectives for prosecutors that are linked to a series of possible performance measures.
For more information, go to Office of Research & Evaluation
|
|
Basic Trial Techniques for Prosecutors |
Every attorney and every case is unique; there are very few hard and fast courtroom techniques and strategies. You must develop your own style and adapt your strategy to each individual case. However, there are maxims or guidelines you should consider in developing your own style and strategies.
This monograph is designed to assist you to make appropriate, informed decisions, by providing differing perspectives, examples and tips.
For more information, go to National Traffic Law Center
|
|
Understanding E-mail |
A Primer for Local Prosecutors -- From a prosecutor’s perspective, e-mails are digital evidence stored on media devices. This monograph will discuss the basic “tech” terminology a prosecutor is likely to encounter and needs to be familiar with when prosecuting high-tech crimes involving e-mail.
For more information, go to White Collar Crime Unit
|
|
|