Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2023

Hozzl · 2024-03-13T02:49:03Z

Explore the details of Senate Bill 281 Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2023 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Crime and Law Enforcement. Stay informed on legislative developments.

3/13/2024, 2:49 AM

Summary of Bill S 281

Bill 118 s 281, also known as the Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to provide additional resources and support to prosecutors in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system.

The bill includes provisions for increased funding for prosecutor training programs, as well as grants to help prosecutors hire additional staff and implement new technologies to streamline their work. It also aims to address issues such as case backlog and delays in the court system by providing incentives for prosecutors to prioritize certain types of cases and work more efficiently.

Additionally, the Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2023 includes measures to improve transparency and accountability within the criminal justice system. This includes requirements for prosecutors to report on their caseloads and outcomes, as well as provisions for independent oversight of prosecutorial practices. Overall, this bill seeks to enhance the ability of prosecutors to effectively carry out their duties and ensure that justice is served in a timely and fair manner. It is currently being debated in Congress and may undergo further revisions before being voted on.

Congressional Summary of S 281

Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2023

This bill requires certain state and local prosecutors to report data on criminal referrals and outcomes of cases involving murder or non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson, or any offense involving the illegal use or possession of a firearm.

The reporting requirement applies to state and local prosecutors in a jurisdiction that has 360,000 or more persons and receives funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. The report must contain data on

cases referred for prosecution,
cases the prosecutor declined to prosecute or refer for diversion,
cases for which the prosecutor declined to reach a plea agreement,
cases that resulted in a plea agreement or referral for diversion, and
offenses the prosecutor dids not prosecute due to an internal policy.

If a state or local prosecutor complies with these requirements, the bill requires (1) the Department of Justice to give priority in disbursing Byrne JAG program funds to the local government served by the prosecutor, and (2) the local government to ensure that the prosecutor receives a portion of the funds.

Additionally, the bill prohibits states and local governments from receiving funds under the Byrne JAG program if they have in effect a policy that prohibits the use of cash bail for a defendant in a case involving the illegal use or illegal possession of a firearm.

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Current Status of Bill S 281

Bill S 281 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 7, 2023. Bill S 281 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on February 7, 2023. Bill S 281's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. as of February 7, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 281

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 281

Primary Policy Focus

Crime and Law Enforcement

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 281

Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2023Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2023A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to direct certain prosecutor's offices to annually report to the Attorney General, and for other purposes.

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