A Community Prosecutor works in the community as well as in the courtroom. They work side by side with law enforcement as well as with community groups.

Community APA’s are on call 24 hours a day to assist police in investigations from their beginning. This can include reviewing search warrants and arrest warrants, as well as answering legal questions that may come up in the course of an investigation. Community Prosecutors also secure investigative subpoenas, which are used to preserve the testimony of witnesses who may otherwise be unwilling to cooperate with police. The Community Prosecutors work to be an asset to police in the successful investigation and prosecution of cases from the outset.

Community Prosecutors meet regularly with local community groups and leaders to address concerns from neighborhood to neighborhood. One on-going and major concern is the problems created by drug houses and abandoned homes. When members of the community identify such problem houses, Community Prosecutors can co-ordinate raids on suspected drug houses by authorizing search warrants where appropriate, and can identify problem properties for forfeiture actions or other court proceedings aimed at eliminating the blight of derelict houses.

Get involved. Each Police District has regular monthly community meetings that the Community Prosecutors attend. There are also many active neighborhood groups of citizens who come together to preserve and beautify their neighborhoods. By working together we can greatly improve the quality of life for our families, our neighbors and ourselves.