Should Prosecutors Pursue Minor Crimes?, A Debate
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Originally released by Open to Debate, 2023.

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In the United States, prosecutors file about 13 million misdemeanor cases each year. These cases, which constitute about 80 percent of all cases nationwide, are mainly low-level, nonviolent crimes, such as drug possession, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, and prostitution. Some prosecutors, including those in are processed. The district attorney’s offices in areas like Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and the New York City borough of Manhattan, have implemented new policies stating they would no longer prosecute certain minor crimes unless they accompanied a felony, a more serious offense. Prosecuting such crimes, they argue, wastes time and money that could be better spent on pursuing murderers, rapists, and other violent criminals. Three-quarters of nonviolent misdemeanor cases don’t result in convictions, they note, but can still permanently affect a person’s criminal record, job prospects, and ability to secure housing. They also point to recent studies that suggest prosecuting minor crimes, especially those from first-time offenders, actually increases crime. Opponents reject these claims, arguing that prosecuting misdemeanor cases is essential to protecting society and keeping communities safe. Failure to prosecute such offenses will encourage repeat criminal activity, threaten law-abiding citizens, and raise crime rates. Should prosecutors pursue minor crimes?

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