Researcher: prosecutors remain primary gatekeepers to diversion; data will clarify racial patterns

Commission members pressed Dr. Lindsey Beech on whether prosecutorial discretion contributes to racial disproportionality in diversion access. Beech acknowledged prosecutors are "really the gatekeepers" under current practice and said the forthcoming administrative-data report will be the best tool to identify treatment differences by race and other factors.

Beech cited prior work by Dr. Carl Jones showing racial patterning tied to prosecutorial choices in some counties and said MJC’s planned research database will enable more conclusive analysis. She recommended improving data granularity (reasons for termination, conditions recorded) and continuing collaborative work with juvenile court administrators and community partners to surface disparities.