Austin, TX — Right On Crime, a national campaign of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, released a new research paper, Going Rogue: How Radical, Reformist Prosecutors Are Endangering Public Safety, examining how certain elected prosecutors across the country are refusing to enforce categories of criminal law and the impact those policies are having on public safety, victim reporting, and trust in the justice system.
The report finds that in several major U.S. cities, prosecutors have implemented formal and informal non-prosecution policies that effectively decline to enforce certain offenses. According to the paper, these practices represent a departure from traditional prosecutorial discretion and undermine the consistent application of the law.
“When prosecutors begin drawing lines around which laws they will and will not enforce, it erodes the core principle of equal justice under the law,” said Senior Policy Analyst, Ross Jackson. “Our research shows that these policies don’t just shift legal theory, but have real consequences for victims, for law enforcement, and for public safety.”
While national crime trends have generally declined over recent decades, the paper highlights that some jurisdictions led by so-called “rogue prosecutors” have seen increases in violent and property crime, including homicide and aggravated assault, during their tenure.
“Public safety depends on more than just good laws. It depends on those laws being enforced fairly and consistently,” said Executive Director, Brett Tolman. “When elected officials refuse to enforce statutes they disagree with, it breaks public trust and leaves victims without justice. States like Texas are leading the way in considering solutions that restore accountability and strengthen the rule of law.”
The research also examines policy solutions being considered in Texas and other states to address the issue, including enhanced oversight mechanisms, expanded statewide prosecutorial authority, regional district models, and the creation of a Chief State Prosecutor structure to ensure uniform enforcement of state law. It concludes that states must adopt stronger frameworks to ensure prosecutorial accountability, preserve public safety, and restore confidence in the justice system.
Right On Crime is a national campaign of the Texas Public Policy Foundation supporting conservative solutions for fewer victims, less crime, and safer communities. Founded in Texas in 2007 and launched nationally in 2010, Right On Crime leads the way in advancing criminal justice policies that are just, effective, and fiscally responsible. For more information, visit www.rightoncrime.com.