Empowering Communities, Reforming Prosecution.
The People’s Coalition for Prosecutor Accountability New York is a coalition of advocacy organizations, grassroots-led networks, and legal aid providers that have come together to hold New York City’s District Attorneys accountable to reducing prosecution, punishment, and criminalization of those most vulnerable. We aim to ensure that the people most impacted by prosecution — Black, brown, indigenous, immigrant, TGNC, and low-income communities — are central to shaping prosecution policies and the city’s carceral system at large.
We call on all New York City’s District Attorneys to:
Cut DA budgets by 50%. End asset forfeiture, return funds to communities, and eliminate unethical practices. Advocate reallocating funds to community programs.
Limit DA power in charging and sentencing. Focus on alternatives to incarceration and non-jail resolutions. Eliminate punitive and discriminatory practices.
Create independent review processes for misconduct. Publicize DA policies and data. Advocate for prosecutor accountability and transparency in all actions.
Stop using conspiracy charges and gang databases. Cease collaboration with surveillance firms and dismantle programs targeting poor communities of color.
Prosecute police misconduct and refuse cases involving bad officers. Advocate for police reform and create independent bodies for police accountability.
Stop criminalizing youth behavior. Redirect funds from DA youth programs to community-led initiatives. Ensure non-jail solutions for youth cases.
Ensure charging and sentencing are “immigrant-safe.” Protect immigrants from ICE and provide language access. Support legislation limiting cooperation with ICE.
Oppose bail rollbacks and honor the presumption of release. Criticize judges who abuse bail discretion and support release requests, especially in emergencies.
Stop prosecuting sex work and related offenses. Support trafficking survivors in vacating criminal records and redirect NYPD VICE funds to sex worker-led centers.
Support parole and clemency for reduced sentences. Vacate convictions for decriminalized offenses and expedite parole interviews. Advocate for parole and civil rights reforms.
Honor the presumption of innocence for all charges. Use restorative justice and alternatives to incarceration. Eliminate charge-based exclusions from decarceration efforts.
Community organizations, grassroots-led networks, and legal aid providers
Resources
PCPA NYC
The People’s Coalition for Prosecutor Accountability NYC is a coalition of advocacy organizations, grassroots-led networks, and legal aid providers that have come together to hold NYC’s District Attorneys accountable.
