Vertical Prosecution Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local governments, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

Kern County will use its 2009 JAG award to fund a vertical prosecutor position in the Kern County District Attorney's Office. The Deputy District Attorney will be assigned to the gang prosecution unit in order to reduce gang violence and decrease the active participation in gangs. The vertical prosecution strategy emphasizes the assigned attorney will handle the case from beginning to end. Vertical prosecution has shown to improve conviction rates, reduce victim trauma, and provide more consistent and appropriate sentencing.

NCA/NCF