Diversity in Prosecutors’ Offices: Views from the Front Line

STANFORD

Diversity in Prosecutors' Offices: Views from the Front Line

Katherine J. Bies, Darryl G. Long Jr., Megan S. McKoy, Jimmy S. Threatt, and Joshua D. Wolf

2016

559 Nathan Abbott Way Stanford, CA 94305 law.stanford.edu/stanford-criminal-justice-center-scjc/

Diversity in Prosecutors' Offices: Views from the Front Line

A Report of the Stanford Criminal Justice Center

March 2016

Katherine J. Bies, Darryl G. Long Jr., Megan S. McKoy, Jimmy S. Threatt, and Joshua D. Wolf*

* Katherine J. Bies, Darryl G. Long Jr., Megan S. McKoy, Jimmy S. Threatt, and Joshua D. Wolf are law students at Stanford Law School.

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The Stanford Criminal Justice Center (SCJC), led by faculty co-directors Joan Petersilia, David Sklansky, and Robert Weisberg and executive director Debbie Mukamal, serves as a research and policy institute on matters related to the criminal justice system. For more information about our current and past projects, please visit our website: .

Copyright ? 2016 Stanford Criminal Justice Center All rights reserved. Stanford, CA Stanford Criminal Justice Center Stanford Law School 559 Nathan Abbott Way Stanford, CA 94305

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Contents

Introduction and Overview ............................................................................................................. 6 Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 8

The Importance of Diversity......................................................................................................... 11 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives .................................................................................. 12 Defining a Diverse Perspective............................................................................................. 14 The Importance of Reflecting the Community ......................................................................... 15

Changing Demographics............................................................................................................... 19 Gender....................................................................................................................................... 19 Race and Ethnicity .................................................................................................................... 20 Office Culture ........................................................................................................................... 21

Challenges to Attracting and Hiring Diverse Talent..................................................................... 22 Stigma ....................................................................................................................................... 22 Pipeline Problem ....................................................................................................................... 23 Additional Barriers.................................................................................................................... 23

Tools for Diversification............................................................................................................... 24 Inclusive Hiring ........................................................................................................................ 24 Proactive Recruiting within Diverse Settings ....................................................................... 25 Paid Internship Positions....................................................................................................... 26 Combating the Stigma around Prosecution........................................................................... 26 Diversity Attracts Diversity ...................................................................................................... 27 Attracting New Hires from Underrepresented Backgrounds................................................ 27 Fostering Diverse Management ............................................................................................ 29 Community Engagement .......................................................................................................... 30 Getting into the Trenches ...................................................................................................... 30 Community Prosecution Unit ............................................................................................... 31 Outreach to Student Affinity Organizations and Membership in Ethnic Bar Associations . 32 Active Retention ....................................................................................................................... 32 Job-Share Programs .............................................................................................................. 32 Other Tools and Strategies for Retention.............................................................................. 33

Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 34

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Appendix....................................................................................................................................... 36 Interview Questions .................................................................................................................. 36 Elected District Attorney ...................................................................................................... 36 Background ....................................................................................................................... 36 Attract / Hire ..................................................................................................................... 36 Develop and Retain........................................................................................................... 37 Closing .............................................................................................................................. 37 Diversity Committee ............................................................................................................. 37 Background ....................................................................................................................... 37 Attract / Hire ..................................................................................................................... 37 Retain ................................................................................................................................ 39 Supervising Attorney ............................................................................................................ 39 Background ....................................................................................................................... 39 Attract / Hire ..................................................................................................................... 39 Retain ................................................................................................................................ 39 Line Attorney ........................................................................................................................ 40 Background ....................................................................................................................... 40 Attract / Hire ..................................................................................................................... 40 Retain ................................................................................................................................ 41

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