Recently, prosecutors from Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, South Dakota and Wisconsin met at the Circuit Attorney’s Office in St. Louis for a regional “Best Practices for Justice” Summit.
Prosecutors take an oath of office to protect the rights of the victims, the innocent and of the accused. Over the last few years, prosecutors from across the country have been meeting to discuss “best practices” within the criminal justice system.
Wyandotte County District Attorney Jerome A. Gorman and Pawnee County Attorney John M. Settle represented Kansas by attending the Summit on behalf of the Kansas County and District Attorneys Association’s (KCDAA) Best Practices Committee.
“As prosecutors, we are committed to working to insure the criminal justice system will protect the rights of all citizens, including victims and defendants,” said Jerome A. Gorman, Wyandotte County District Attorney. “Our Kansas committee has been working diligently to identify processes and policies which Kansas prosecutors and law enforcement agencies can use to improve our justice system.”
“Kansas prosecutors have a long standing commitment to the improvement of our justice system, adds Marc Goodman, Emporia County Attorney and KCDAA President. “Our Kansas Best Practices committee is an avenue to continue our efforts to identify such Best Practices policies to protect the rights of all citizens and the integrity of our criminal justice system.”
The “Best Practices for Justice” Summit allowed the Kansas prosecutors to confer with others from around the region who also care deeply about justice and desire to find ways to improve the criminal justice system. Other states are now in the process of creating or establishing their own versions of a “Best Practices Committee.”
The Summit focused on exploring different elements of the criminal justice system to ensure prosecutors are best equipped to fulfill their obligations under the law. Various topics were discussed, including the gathering of forensic and digital evidence, overall ethics and crime prevention.
This regional summit in St. Louis was the second in a series of four to be held throughout the country. The initiative is funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the U.S. Department of Justice. Kristine Hamann, Visiting Fellow at the Bureau of Justice Assistance, is leading the initiative. Hamann is also a former Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan.