FY 2022 National Training and Technical Assistance: Capital Case Litigation Initiative for Prosecutors

O-BJA-2022-171276 Capital Case Litigation Initiative Proposal Abstract
 

The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys proposes a project under the Capital Case Litigation Initiative (CCLI) that will address the current and pressing training and technical assistance (TTA) needs of the field for prosecutors. APA will provide comprehensive training and technical assistance (TTA) services, tools, and resources to state and local prosecutors and other criminal justice practitioners. APA is a national organization with a broad membership of practicing, prosecuting attorneys and justice professionals as well as a broad network of subject matter experts with whom it has worked extensively in the past. APA has a demonstrated history of providing high quality, timely, and relevant TTA to prosecutors, criminal justice partners and other related professionals, and community stakeholders. As a CCLI TTA provider, APA would be prepared to continue assisting prosecutors with enhancing their effectiveness in representing the public in capital cases. APA is also committed to coordinating with organizations across disciplines to execute the deliverables of this grant, including providing specific and effective training to address racial inequities within the criminal legal system.

APA will use an evidence-informed approach to focus on the implementation goals of this project. APA will: work closely with research partner Research Triangle Institute (RTI) to design and deploy a comprehensive survey of the field; publish the results of the survey and develop training opportunities for prosecutors and related criminal justice professionals based upon the needs articulated by the survey results; provide TA on the subject of capital-eligible case prosecution; and develop publications and resources for prosecutors to improve the skills and knowledge necessary to prosecute capital cases. Furthermore, APA is seeking priority consideration 1A (see pages 7-9 of the Proposal Narrative) to address racial equity issues particularly as relates to victim interaction and community communication.
 

In order to accomplish these goals, APA will develop training curricula designed to address the particular needs of prosecutors on this subject, host at least four in-person and four virtual training sessions (including conferences and webinars) annually, have bimonthly advisory committee and P2P meetings to discuss programming and identify gaps in the field, and maintain resources for prosecutors across various platforms. APA agrees to collect the necessary performance measures data in compliance with BJA standards and as informed and evaluated by research partner RTI, and will report project progress at regular intervals.
 

APA requests grant funding for the solicitation amount of $1 million over the course of a 3-year period.