TSRP Info
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A TSRP?
To provide critical support to enhance the capability of the States’ prosecutors to effectively prosecute traffic safety violations.
WHAT ARE THE TSRP’S DUTIES?
- Assess training needs, develop and provide training programs for prosecutors, law enforcement officers and other traffic safety professionals with an emphasis on the effective prosecution of impaired driving cases.
- To provide technical assistance and legal research to prosecutors on a wide variety of legal issues, including probable cause; Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST); Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) Program; implied consent; breath/blood testing; accusatory instruments; pre-trial procedures; trial practice; and appellate practice.
- Serve as a resource to prosecutors in the State on impaired driving and other traffic cases.
- Prepare briefs, legal memorandum and other pleadings for use at hearings, trials or on appeal of such cases.
- Train and provide technical assistance to State, local and county law enforcement in methods of evidence gathering, especially newly emerging technology and trial techniques, that will improve the ability of prosecutors to effectively prosecute impaired driving cases.
- Publicize the technical assistance that TSRPs can provide to prosecutors, law enforcement, toxicologists, breath testing operators, and other advocates.
- Respond to written and verbal inquiries made by prosecutors concerning criminal law, associate administrative issues, procedure or special problems, and offer competency and expertise in providing a broad range of technical assistance and support services for prosecuting traffic safety offenses.
- Meet regularly with law enforcement agencies to explain prosecutorial policy, answer questions, and receive suggestions; foster improved law enforcement /prosecutor cooperation; strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies; and regularly apprise prosecuting attorneys on evolving areas of traffic safety law.
- Serve as second chair on difficult impaired driving cases, including but not limited to Daubert, other suppression hearing, motions, and etc.
- Make presentations and participate in National, State and local meetings on traffic safety issues.
- Develop and maintain a working relationship with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators (NAPC), National Traffic Law Center (NTLC), Prosecutor Fellow and other TSRPs.