Elevating Trust and Legitimacy for Prosecutors Project 2.0
Summary
Yale Law School’s Justice Collaboratory, in partnership with the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and LaGratta Consulting, has launched the Elevating Trust and Legitimacy for Prosecutors Project. Now in its second phase, the project is working with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, and Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. Together, they are engaging in a year-long collaborative process focused on the assessment, planning, and implementation of procedural justice practices, particularly in addressing gun violence.
These practices may include developing protocols or guides for victim and witness interviews, gathering feedback from staff and prosecutors, and enhancing transparency around key decision points, such as diversion eligibility and trauma support services. The ultimate goal is to increase public trust and legitimacy for prosecutors at the local level while creating a replicable national model for other prosecutorial offices.
Approach
This project employs an exploratory and collaborative approach, developing an intervention model informed by interviews and focus groups with staff, participants, and victims. Impact measures will include surveys to assess change in perceptions of trust and legitimacy. Additional impact measures will be identified during the planning process.
Funding
The project is funded by the Joyce Foundation.
Researchers
Emily LaGratta
Principal, LaGratta Consulting
Executive Director of the Justice Collaboratory
Founding Director, The Justice Collaboratory
Associate Research Scholar
Post-Baccalaureate Research Fellow
David LaBahn
President, APA
Marlene Biener
Senior Deputy General Counsel, APA
Joy Rapella
APA Fellow
Rob Underhill
APA Fellow