Predictive Analytics for Strategic Prosecution

The goal of Smart Prosecution is to develop a body of knowledge about data-driven strategies -- innovative, best practice, or evidence-based -- as they are implemented by prosecutors. Smart Prosecution grantees will identify a problem to be addressed and enlist a local research partner to help assess the effectiveness of their Smart Prosecution effort. Smart Prosecution grants require a research partner.

The San Francisco District Attorney's Office (SFDA) will establish a Crime Strategies and Intelligence Unit (CSIU) that will gather appropriate and valid data, using statistical tools to identify chronic locations and chronic offenders in San Francisco. Using analytical tools will enable SFDA to make connections between criminal events, defendants, witnesses, and victims that can facilitate more effective investigations, charging decisions, and ultimately case dispositions. CSIU will work closely with Neighborhood Prosecutors to identify suitable individuals and cases for Neighborhood Courts, assess the beneficial aspects of Neighborhood Prosecution and courts relative to decreases in crime hot spots and disseminate information to the public about the project. The research partner will conduct a process and impact evaluation of the interventions implemented by the SFDA. CA/NCF