Prosecuting Attorney’s Office seeks to build trust through transparency, engagement | Opinion
The criminal justice system rests on a promise of fairness. But unless you’ve spent time inside a courtroom, it can be hard to see how decisions are made, and that gap in understanding can lead to mistrust. In Thurston County, we’re working to close that gap through greater transparency and community engagement.
With support from a U.S. Department of Justice grant, the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is partnering with Measures for Justice (MFJ), a national nonprofit known for its work in justice system data, to launch a new public-facing dashboard. This tool will give our community a clearer view of the factors that shape prosecutorial decisions and the outcomes that follow.
Every day, prosecutors make complex decisions that balance public safety, fairness, and legal responsibility. By opening access to key data, we aim to demystify these decisions and show the demands our prosecutors face. Transparency like this builds understanding and trust.
We also know that disparities in justice outcomes are a real concern. When certain groups face different consequences or fewer opportunities for rehabilitation, it weakens the foundation of equal justice. Addressing these disparities requires more than stories or assumptions. We need evidence. This dashboard allows us to step back and see the broader picture, so we can identify and address inequities with informed, data-driven solutions.
But this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about starting conversations. We invite the public to approach the dashboard with curiosity, care and collaboration. Curiosity to better understand how the justice system works. Care to look deeper than surface-level data. And collaboration to build a justice system that reflects our shared values.
To support that effort, we’ve created a Community Advisory Board made up of local residents. This board provides feedback and helps guide how the data is used and understood. Their insights help ensure that the community’s voice is central to this process.
Through our partnership with MFJ, we’re committed to honest reflection and continuous improvement. Transparency isn’t the end goal. It’s the starting point. Together, we can learn from the data, have meaningful dialogue, and work side by side to ensure that justice in Thurston County truly serves everyone.
Jon Tunheim has been Thurston County’s Prosecuting Attorney since 2010.
This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM.