Increase in D.C. Prosecutions: Chief Prosecutor Confronts Threats and Criticism

The U.S. attorney's office in Washington, D.C. reported an increase in the number of cases prosecuted in the fiscal year that just ended compared to the previous year. The rise in prosecutions is attributed to the use of federal agencies and private laboratories to process evidence in drug, firearm, and DNA cases. The increase comes amid criticism of the D.C. criminal justice system for the surge in crime in the capital. The office declined to prosecute 56% of cases developed by law enforcement agencies, down from 67% in the previous year. The lack of forensic labs had been a challenge, but the office has now partnered with federal labs and outside contractors. Violent crime prosecutions have slightly increased, but overall violent crime in the city is up nearly 40% from last year.