Download This PaperOverloaded Prosecutors
33 Criminal Justice 31 (Summer 2018)
Washington University in St. Louis Legal Studies Research Paper No. 19-03-04
6 Pages Posted: 15 Apr 2019 Last revised: 13 Feb 2020
Date Written: June 1, 2018
Abstract
Prosecutors across the United States often are assigned many more cases than they can competently handle. In this paper, we first look at the prevalence of such prosecutorial overloading. We then describe the negative practical consequences such overloading is likely to have on defendants, victims, and the public. Finally, we examine the perverse impact such heavy caseloads are likely to have on prosecutorial ethics, undermining adherence to the many critical ethical obligations we place on prosecutors.
Keywords: ethics, legal ethics, professional responsibility, criminal justice, prosecutor, criminal process
JEL Classification: K10, K14, K19, K40, K41, K49
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Kevin C. McMunigal
Case Western Reserve University School of Law ( email )
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Cleveland, OH 44106-7148
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