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The American Prosecutor: Independence, Power, And The Threat Of Tyranny, Angela J. Davis
The American Prosecutor: Independence, Power, And The Threat Of Tyranny, Angela J. Davis
Articles in Law Reviews & Other Academic Journals
This Article compares the power, practices, and policies of the Independent Counsel with those of ordinary state and federal prosecutors and suggests that the purported distinctions turn out to be illusory. Part I charts the principal structural characteristics of the Independent Counsel and regular prosecutors, with particular focus on prosecutorial discretion and the charging power. This section notes the public outrage over former Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr and argues that the American prosecutor deserves similar scrutiny. Using illustrations from the author’s former experience as a public defender, this Part explains how regular prosecutors engage in the same acts of misconduct …
Prosecution And Race: The Power And Privilege Of Discretion, Angela J. Davis
Prosecution And Race: The Power And Privilege Of Discretion, Angela J. Davis
Articles in Law Reviews & Other Academic Journals
This article examines prosecutorial discretion and argues it is a major cause of racial inequality in the criminal justice system. It asserts that prosecutorial discretion may instead be used to construct effective solutions to racial injustice. The article maintains that since prosecutors have more power than any other criminal justice officials, with practically no corresponding accountability to the public they serve, they have the responsibility to use their discretion to help eradicate the discriminatory treatment of African Americans in the criminal justice system.
Part I of the Article explains the importance and impact of the prosecution function. Part II discusses …