John Legend here. When I founded FREEAMERICA, I joined the ACLU and other advocates in the fight to end mass incarceration. That is why I am so excited to help the ACLU of California launch a new campaign focused on the government officials who have the power to end mass incarceration: district attorneys or "DAs" for short.
Most people don't know this, but district attorneys are more than just prosecutors. They choose which charges to bring in criminal cases and help shape criminal justice policy. Their power reaches across communities, into the courtroom, and all the way up to the state Capitol and ballot box.
Who is your DA? Check out the ACLU's new Meet Your DA campaign to find out!
In California, we have 58 DAs representing each one of our 58 counties. As elected officials, district attorneys are ultimately accountable to us. Their job is to seek justice, work to prevent crime, and serve as leaders of the diverse communities they represent. The problem is that most of us don't know who our DA is or what they stand for.
Is your DA representing your interests in the criminal justice system? Send them a note to let them know you're paying attention.
If not held accountable, DAs operate inside a political bubble free from public oversight. It is up to every Californian to make sure our elected DAs represent our interests in the criminal justice system.
