Prosecutors

Prosecutorial ethics are getting a fresh look from criminal justice reformers

With the renewed focus on criminal justice reform, ethics complaints involving prosecutors are making the news and taking center stage. Prosecutorial decision-making is often less scrutinized or punished by courts and professional conduct boards. But the stakes are high in criminal cases, and ethics experts say whether they are intentional or negligent, there isn’t enough focus on behind-the-scenes actions in DA offices.

Dec 1, 2021 12:50 AM CST

Judge exonerates Missouri prisoner after 43 years in prison; this law made it possible

A Kansas City, Missouri, man who spent 43 years in prison for a triple murder has been released after a judge ruled Tuesday that he was wrongfully convicted.

Nov 24, 2021 11:55 AM CST

Prosecutor pay isn’t keeping up with inflation, even as some case backlogs grow, study author says

The average starting salary for prosecutors in 31 larger cities was $68,506 at the start of 2020, according to a survey by a Lafayette College professor in conjunction with the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.

Nov 24, 2021 9:24 AM CST

Former judge admits ‘sexual conduct’ with prosecutor, says it didn’t affect rulings

A former Oklahoma judge admitted to consensual “sexual conduct” with a prosecutor but said it didn’t affect his rulings in a murder case after their relationship ended. Former Judge Tim Henderson acknowledged the relationship in a written statement.

Nov 17, 2021 3:06 PM CST

District attorney pleads guilty to offering payments to his prosecutors, seeking to influence officer

A Georgia district attorney accused of offering to pay $1,000 to two staff prosecutors pleaded guilty during jury deliberations in his trial Monday.

Nov 16, 2021 12:45 PM CST

Law profs seek to overturn New York law requiring their ethics complaints to be secret

Law professors who posted grievances that they filed against 21 prosecutors are challenging a New York law that requires lawyer disciplinary proceedings and related papers to be kept private until discipline is recommended.

Nov 12, 2021 12:38 PM CST

In ‘rocky prosecution’ of Kyle Rittenhouse, assistant DA angers judge, tackles difficult case

A prosecutor in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse angered the judge Wednesday when he referred to the teenager’s silence after his arrest and then asked questions related to a video in which Rittenhouse discussed wanting to shoot shoplifters.

Nov 12, 2021 10:24 AM CST

‘Groveland Four’ were wrongly accused in 1949, prosecutor says in motion to clear their names

A Florida prosecutor has filed a motion to clear the names of four young Black men known as "the Groveland Four," who were wrongly accused of raping a 17-year-old white woman in Lake County, Florida, in 1949.

Oct 28, 2021 12:03 PM CDT

Retired prosecutor, disbarred for withholding evidence, says law practice is ‘a screwed-up obscenity’

A retired prosecutor in Maryland told the Baltimore Sun that he didn’t “give a damn” when the newspaper informed him that he had been disbarred for failing to disclose exculpatory evidence and making false statements about its content.

Oct 26, 2021 9:53 AM CDT

Fighting sanctions, county attorney cites ‘crushing’ caseloads, fed-up prosecutors and backlog of 1,000 cases

Hillsborough, New Hampshire, County Attorney John Coughlin told a judge Tuesday that prosecutors are overwhelmed with “crushing” caseloads of 150 cases per piece and a backlog of 1,000 cases in the Manchester, New Hampshire, office.

Oct 13, 2021 2:50 PM CDT

New Orleans DA agrees to oversight to settle suit over fake subpoenas and witness intimidation

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams has agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging that his predecessor’s office used fake subpoenas to pressure victims and witnesses to privately meet with prosecutors.

Oct 7, 2021 1:54 PM CDT

Original ‘Law & Order’ is set to return with new episodes

The original Law & Order TV series will return to NBC for a 21st season, but little is known about the new episodes that will air.

Oct 4, 2021 3:13 PM CDT

Weekly Briefs: Britney Spears’ father suspended as conservator; would-be Reagan assassin will be freed of limits

Britney Spears’ father is suspended as conservator Judge Brenda Penny of Los Angeles on Wednesday suspended Britney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, from his position as conservator for the pop singer. Penny appointed a California accountant temporarily to the position. A lawyer for Britney Spears wants the court to investigate claims…

Oct 1, 2021 12:09 PM CDT

Prosecutors are working toward the release of the longest-serving inmates

Historically, most prosecutors haven’t felt responsible for examining cases closed by their predecessors to determine whether everyone’s punishments fit their crimes. The prosecutors in these offices, however, are pushing their field to adopt changes to address mass incarceration and sentencing disparities in the criminal justice system.

Oct 1, 2021 4:00 AM CDT

DA is charged with rape and strangulation of acquaintance at her home

A district attorney in a rural county southeast of Pittsburgh was arrested Wednesday for allegedly raping a woman he knew in his professional capacity.

Sep 24, 2021 9:24 AM CDT