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Bill

SD 3009

Essex County District Attorney Decriminalization Stats June 26, 2025

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Massachusetts bill requires Essex County District Attorney to report decriminalization statistics and prosecution outcomes from June 2025.

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Bill Summary · SD 3009

Legislative bill overview

Bill SD 3009 appears to be a data reporting or statistical measure related to decriminalization policies implemented by the Essex County District Attorney's office. Based on the title referencing "Decriminalization Stats," the bill likely requires the DA to compile and report statistics on cases where charges were reduced, declined, or dismissed under decriminalization initiatives as of June 2025.

Why is this important

Decriminalization data transparency helps legislators, advocates, and the public understand the real-world outcomes of prosecutorial discretion and alternative-to-prosecution policies. This information is essential for evaluating whether decriminalization efforts are achieving their intended goals and whether resources are being allocated effectively across the criminal justice system.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and methodology: Disagreement over which charges qualify as "decriminalization" and how statistics should be categorized (by offense type, defendant demographics, outcomes, etc.)
  • Resource implications: Law enforcement or prosecution may argue that detailed reporting creates administrative burden, while advocates may demand comprehensive data collection
  • Interpretation concerns: Raw statistics can be presented to support opposing viewpoints depending on context—some may cite data as evidence of effective reform while others use identical data to argue decriminalization increases crime or undermines public safety

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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