Procedural Justice is a collaborative initiative led by the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys in partnership with Yale Law School’s Justice Collaboratory and LaGratta Consulting, with support from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. This effort focuses on embedding procedural justice principles into prosecutorial practice to foster fairness, dignity, and respect throughout the criminal justice process.
Prior system improvements, including evidence-based decision-making and alternatives to jail, have been successful at improving public safety while broadly reducing the harms that individuals may encounter in the criminal justice system. While these reforms have made progress on these outcomes, a crucial step to achieving a just and trusted legal system is to ensure individuals are treated fairly and with dignity and respect as they move through the criminal justice system.
More than a decade’s work in policing and courts settings has shown how concerted efforts in procedural justice can help change the way criminal justice professionals communicate and engage with system participants and produce increased public trust and voluntary compliance and cooperation.
For those looking to explore practical applications of procedural justice, APA offers a dedicated Procedural Justice Resources page featuring curated webinars, publications, and other implementation guidance. Additionally, the City Prosecutors Project highlights APA’s work with municipal offices to assess and enhance community engagement through evidence-based practices. These resources reflect APA’s broader commitment to helping prosecutors build trust, improve transparency, and strengthen legitimacy in the communities they serve.