About FJP / Our Work And Vision

Shared Principles

Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) supports a peer-driven community of local elected prosecutors working toward a justice system that prioritizes public safety grounded in fairness, equity, fiscal responsibility, and humanity. We raise the standards of prosecutorial accountability through a steadfast commitment to the core principles that make justice possible: independence, discretion, and transparency.

At its core, FJP stands for the responsible use of prosecutorial power. Independence is not a shield from accountability. It is what allows prosecutors to exercise discretion with integrity, protect individual rights, and earn public trust. We work to ensure that independence remains the norm, not the exception, and that discretion is used deliberately, transparently, and in service of justice.

We support local elected prosecutors who lead with integrity and courage, connecting them to the tools, knowledge, and networks as they turn bold, evidence-backed ideas into practical, sustainable policies grounded in the values of their communities. Through connection and collaboration, prosecutors are able to develop strategies, learn from one another, and raise a collective voice that keeps all communities safe and whole.

An Opportune Moment For Change

The pursuit of a transparent, fair, accountable, and just system has been a constant thread throughout American history, and the current moment calls prosecutors to carry that responsibility forward with clarity and resolve. Prosecutors across the country are facing a defining test of their commitment to truth, integrity, and the rule of law, as well as their professional duty to serve as ministers of justice, exercising independent judgment, protecting the innocent, and holding the guilty accountable. As political polarization and federal overreach threaten to undermine local decision-making, prosecutors have both the authority and the responsibility to defend the Constitution and ensure justice is applied fairly to all.

Prosecutors possess significant discretion in shaping justice system outcomes. Defending their discretion and independence is essential not only to upholding the rule of law but also to keeping communities safe. That responsibility demands courage to use discretion in ways that uphold constitutional rights, strengthen accountability, and deliver justice that protects everyone. When guided by evidence and principle, prosecutors can reduce crime, build trust, and advance true public safety.

Our Work

FJP believes that progress happens when principled leaders, united by shared purpose, work together to serve the communities they represent. We help bold leaders turn vision into action, driving change that is practical, sustainable, and grounded in integrity. Prosecutors who stay true to the rule of law often face resistance. Their commitment exposes and challenges out-of-date status quo practices and those in power that manipulate the law to serve narrow, self-interested ends rather than justice, public safety, and the common good. FJP focuses on ensuring these prosecutors have the support, tools, and allies they need to push back against those distortions, drive meaningful progress, and embrace 21st-century approaches to prosecution.

We do this by:

  • Defending prosecutorial independence and discretion so local elected prosecutors can make decisions guided by facts, fairness, and the law, and rooted in the communities they represent, building trust in the justice system and strengthening faith in democracy;
  • Anchoring a national network of prosecutors working to challenge outdated practices and advance evidence-based approaches that promote safety, fairness, and accountability;
  • Creating opportunities for learning and collaboration through convenings, site visits, and access to cutting-edge research, innovative ideas, and leading experts;
  • Advocating to create an environment for sustained, positive change by elevating the collective voice of prosecutors who are proving through laws and policies that safety and justice go hand in hand; and,
  • Partnering with community organizations, academics, law students, and other justice system leaders to ensure prosecutors have the allies, evidence, and support they need to drive lasting positive change.