News / FJP Releases
Stay informed on the latest breaking news, updates and official statements from Fair and Just Prosecution
September 12, 2025
FJP Files Brief Urging Court to Protect Prosecutors’ Duty to Correct Wrongful Convictions
Yesterday, Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) filed an amicus brief in Johnson v. Superintendent, Mahanoy SCI calling on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to rehear a decision that improperly restricts prosecutors’ ability to exercise their discretion and pursue justice when confronted with an unjust conviction.
A prosecutor’s unique role in the criminal legal system is grounded in a duty to seek justice above all, not merely secure and defend convictions at all costs. That obligation extends to post conviction proceedings, where prosecutors must act when constitutional violations arise that compromise the legitimacy of a case. By rejecting the Philadelphia District Attorney’s decision to waive defenses and decline to defend the conviction, the panel opinion disregarded this fundamental responsibility and disrupted long-established principles that give prosecutors necessary discretion to pursue the interests of justice.
“Addressing convictions that are tainted by constitutional violations should not be optional, it is at the core of prosecutorial responsibility.” said Fair and Just Prosecution Executive Director Aramis Ayala. “Preventing prosecutors from fulfilling this duty perpetuates injustice, is an attack on prosecutorial discretion, and undermines the public’s trust in the legitimacy of the legal system. If this decision stands, innocent people will remain behind bars.”
August 13, 2025
Fair and Just Prosecution Condemns the Federalization of the Local Police and Deployment of the National Guard in the District of Columbia
Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) condemns the federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department and deployment of the National Guard in the District of Columbia. This marked escalation in authoritarian tactics undermines not just the public safety and security of D.C., but threatens the safety and rule of law in every jurisdiction that does not support the agenda of the current Administration.
July 31, 2025
FJP Files Amicus Brief Opposing Genesee County’s Harmful Ban on In-Person Jail Visitation
July 31, 2025 (Detroit, MI)
July 7, 2025
Prosecutors, Former Federal Judge, and FJP File Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Take Up Case To Address Racial Discrimination in Jury Selection
July 7, 2025 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) –
July 2, 2025
FJP Statement on Appeals Court Ruling in Favor of Diana Teran
July 2, 2025 (Los Angeles, CA) — Last Thursday, a California appeals court ordered the dismissal of the Attorney General’s case against former Assistant District Attorney Diana Teran. Ms. Teran was charged with sharing confidential police misconduct records with another prosecutor at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, despite the fact that the records were publicly accessible documents.
Fair and Just Prosecution’s Executive Director Aramis Ayala had the following statement:
“Today’s decision is a victory not only for Ms. Teran, but for prosecutors everywhere who take seriously their responsibilities to their communities to disclose evidence of police misconduct. The prosecution against Ms. Teran was deeply flawed, and it was an attempt to intimidate public servants in our district attorney offices, dangerously chilling them from carrying out their ethical and Constitutional duties.”