WCPO's Innovative Prosecution Solution to Combat Illegal Opioids Project

The purpose of the Innovative Prosecution Solutions Program is to provide state, local, and tribal prosecutors with information, resources, and training and technical assistance (TTA) to develop effective strategies and programs to address violent crime and prosecute individuals responsible for homicides caused by illegal opioids. Prosecutors are leaders within the criminal justice system who possess an enormous responsibility within the criminal justice system. Accordingly, they are well positioned to bring the police, the community, and local agencies together to combat violent crime in their jurisdictions.

The Innovative Prosecution Solutions Program encourages prosecutors to use data in the development of their violent crime strategies and programs. As such, it builds upon analysis-driven, promising practices and evidence-based prosecution by encouraging state, local, and tribal prosecutorial agencies to develop effective, economical, and innovative responses to crime within their jurisdictions. Applicants will identify a problem to be addressed and may enlist a research partner to help evaluate the effectiveness of their Innovative Prosecution Solutions.

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s (WCPO) will use grant funds to increase the effectiveness and impact of prosecuting individuals responsible for opioid related deaths through the use of: (1) intelligence and data driven processes to identify hot spots where illegal opioid activity and violent crime overlap; (2) restructure the WCPO Major Drug Unit, whereby all opioid related cases will come through the Major Drug Unit; and (3) utilize swift judicial investigations and criminal sanctions, compel testimony, and encourage cooperation through a one-man grand jury.

CA/NCF