SMART Prosecution - Crime Analysis Based Gun Diversion Project

The goal of Smart Prosecution Initiative is to develop a body of knowledge about data-driven strategies — innovative, best practice, or evidenced-based — as they are implemented by prosecutors. Smart Prosecution applicants will identify a problem to be addressed and enlist an independent research partner to help evaluate the effectiveness of their smart prosecution effort. Smart Prosecution applications require a research partner/organization as part of the application. Areas of focus for this solicitation include, but are not limited to, applying best or evidenced-based practices to contemporary crime problems and criminogenic circumstances; developing innovative data-driven and crime analysis approaches to reduce crime; improving internal office procedures that ensure public trust and confidence in the justice system; or inculcating innovative, best or evidence-based approaches in local offices.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office (STLCAO) smart prosecution program is based upon the principles articulated by BJA. The STLCAO and its research partners, Arizona State University and St. Louis University, will use the funds to develop a data-driven gun diversion program that targets felony offenders to reduce gun violence in St. Louis. A crime analyst and a diversion coordinator will be hired to implement the program. CA/NCF