Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2025
Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would require state and local prosecutors in larger cities to report detailed data about serious crimes to the federal government. Prosecutors would have to track and report cases involving violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, assault), property crimes (burglary, theft, arson), and firearm offenses. Specifically, they'd report which cases were referred for prosecution, which ones they declined to prosecute, which plea deals fell through, and any cases they didn't pursue due to internal office policies. Only prosecutors in jurisdictions with 360,000+ residents who receive federal law enforcement funding would be affected. **Who It Affects:** This primarily impacts prosecutors' offices in larger U.S.
cities and the federal government's ability to oversee their work. Indirectly, it affects crime victims, defendants, and residents of these jurisdictions by increasing transparency around how prosecutors handle serious cases. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been voted on by the full Senate. The underlying goal appears to be increasing federal oversight of local prosecution decisions and potentially identifying patterns where crimes aren't being prosecuted.
CRS Official Summary
Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act of 2025 This bill requires certain state and local prosecutors to report data on criminal referrals and outcomes of cases involving murder or non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson, or any offense involving the illegal use or possession of a firearm.The reporting requirement applies to state and local prosecutors in a jurisdiction that has 360,000 or more persons and receives funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. The report must contain data oncases referred for prosecution,cases the prosecutor declined to prosecute or refer for diversion,cases for which the prosecutor declined to reach a plea agreement,cases that resulted in a plea agreement or referral for diversion, andoffenses the prosecutor did not prosecute due to an internal policy.If a state or local prosecutor complies with these requirements, the bill requires (1) the Department of Justice to give priority in disbursing Byrne JAG program funds to the local government served by the prosecutor, and (2) the local government to ensure that the prosecutor receives a portion of the funds.Additionally, the bill prohibits states and local governments from receiving funds under the Byrne JAG program if they have in effect a policy that prohibits the use of cash bail for a defendant in a case involving the illegal use or illegal possession of a firearm.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.