WASHINGTON — The number of federal criminal prosecutions has gone down for the past five years, putting it at its lowest level in almost 20 years, according to new data analysis released by Pew Research Center.
Drug, immigration and property prosecutions — the three most common federal offenses — have all declined since federal prosecutions as a whole peaked in 2011.
In fiscal year 2016 federal prosecutors filed criminal charges against more than 77,000 defendants — down one-quarter from five years ago, according to Pew. Of those charged in 2016, 24,638 were drug offenses — a 23 percent decrease from 2011. The Justice Department also prosecuted 20,762 for immigration offenses, a 26 percent decrease, and 10,712 defendants for property offenses like embezzlement or fraud, a 39 percent decline.
Pew reports that several factors may play a role in the decline, including former Attorney General Eric Holder’s guidance issued to federal prosecutors to ensure every case prosecuted “serves a substantial federal interest.” New Attorney General Jeff Sessions, from Alabama, indicates that he will increase such prosecutions in the coming years. (TAB)
Share with others: