Innovative Approaches to Diversion Data

Authors

Sean Flynn, American University Washington College of LawFollow
Robin Olsen
Maggie Wolk

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Summer 2020

Journal

Criminal Law Practitioner

Volume

11

Issue

1

First Page

38

Last Page

50

Abstract

Prosecutors across the country are collecting and using data to make decisions in their offices. At the same time, prosecutors are interested in developing and sustaining prosecutorial diversion approaches. Prosecutors can use data to assist in decision-making regarding diversion case processing choices as well as to make office policy and resource allocation decisions that, in turn, support expanded diversion programs. Data collection can help prosecutors decide if a prosecutorial diversion program will work for them, and if so, what characteristics it should have. Finally, data can help prosecutors see whether they are obtaining their intended outcomes. Prosecutors possess varying levels of data and resources for using data. Using a case study of how the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, a data-heavy prosecutor's office, has incorporated data into its diversion decision-making, this paper will discuss how data can be collected, analyzed, and shared in developing and overseeing a prosecutor-led diversion program to increase transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, and consistency.

Recommended Citation

Sean Flynn, Robin Olsen & Maggie Wolk, Innovative Approaches to Diversion Data, 11 Criminal Law Practitioner 38 (2020).
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/facsch_lawrev/2097