“Let Prosecutors Protect the Integrity of the Justice System”
When police officers have a history of serious credibility issues, it is the responsibility of the prosecutor to know who they are and to take steps to ensure they are not relied upon as witnesses. In a St. Louis Post-Dispatch op-ed, FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky, Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus, and Co-Chairman of Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration Ronal Serpas outline the importance of Brady lists — a nationally recognized best practice used by prosecutors to systematically track such officers and thereby ensure the integrity of the criminal justice system and promote community trust.
“Prosecutors have a duty to seek justice and advance the truth – and that includes not putting witnesses who lack credibility on the stand.”
“Eliminate Court Fines and Fees That Penalize Poverty”
For many individuals, fines and fees are a weighty burden that can lead to perpetual cycles of debt and incarceration. In a USA Today op-ed, Fines and Fees Justice Center Co-Director Lisa Foster and FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky recount the escalating number and amount of fines and fees in state justice systems over recent years and the perverse incentives that result when jurisdictions use this tax on justice to raise revenue. They encourage elected prosecutors to be advocates for reform and delineate concrete steps DAs can take – including supporting alternative mechanisms to fund courts, advocating for assessing fines and fees on a sliding scale, and eliminating fines and fees for young people.
“There’s a Wave of New Prosecutors. And They Mean Justice.”
In a New York Times op-ed, New York Times Magazine staff writer Emily Bazelon and FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky discuss the growing wave of reform-minded elected prosecutors, as well as 21 Principles for the 21st Century Prosecutor – a new blueprint for DAs committed to advancing a bold new criminal justice vision predicated on the dual pillars of improving fairness and reducing incarceration. The 21 Principles set forth concrete steps DAs can take to transform their offices, and collectively their profession, by using their clout to reduce over-incarceration; avoid criminalizing poverty, substance use disorder and mental illness; and promote a fair, equitable and accountable justice system.
“Fairness and safety aren’t a tradeoff. They complement each other. This new corps of prosecutors can lead the way toward doing more justice with more mercy.”
“Don’t Jail Addicts. Overdose Prevention Sites Work, and the US Needs to Get on Board.”
In a USA Today op-ed, King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg and FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky advocate for public health approaches to address our nation’s overdose epidemic. They encourage implementation of harm reduction strategies — including overdose prevention sites — which offer cost-effective, humane and tested models of treatment that not only saves lives, but also connect people to professionals and services that can help them treat substance use disorder.
“We have spent far too much time viewing drug users as unworthy of our care. Politicians need to set prejudice and fear aside and commit to saving lives. Stagnation is no longer acceptable.”
“Guilty Verdict in Van Dyke Case Reinforces Need For Transparent Policing”
A USA Today op-ed by FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky highlights reforms aimed at increasing transparency in, and improving accountability of, police departments. As evidenced by the guilty verdict in the case of former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, these reforms are a critical part of rebuilding public trust and confidence in police and the broader justice system.
“Transparency serves everyone: The citizens who need and deserve to trust their local police, prosecutors who are seeking justice for their communities, and police officers who cannot do their jobs without having the faith of those they serve.”