Guarding against bias
in prosecutorial
charging decisions.

Blind chargingis designed to prevent racial bias in prosecutors’ charging decisions. When someone is charged with a crime, they might end up in jail or prison, with potentially lasting consequences for their family and community. If this charging decision is biased, certain race or ethnic groups may face an unfair share of the costs of prosecution. That’s why it’s critical for prosecutors to take steps to avoid bias in charging decisions.
What is blind
charging?What is blind charging?

Blind charging is a three step process. First, all race-related information is redacted from a crime report narrative. Second, prosecutors read the redacted narrative and record a race-blind decision about whether to charge the case. Third, prosecutors review all available evidence, and make a final decision about whether to proceed with charges.

Our team, the Computational Policy Lab, developed an algorithm to automatically redact race information from police reports, and ran pilots of blind charging with two prosecutors’ offices in California. In 2022, the state passed a law requiring all prosecutors to adopt blind charging by the beginning of 2025. We’re working with prosecutors across the country to help them implement and evaluate this new intervention.

Blind charging is just one way to reduce disparities in the criminal legal system. Prosecutors can also consider other interventions, including evidence-driven diversion programs and strategic case dismissals, to improve the administration of justice for all.

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