On March 19–20, 2026, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA), with support from The Just Trust and hosted by the Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs, will convene a first‑of‑its‑kind national symposium dedicated to one of the most important challenges facing the justice system today: how we communicate criminal cases to the public fairly, accurately, and responsibly.

Held at the historic Prospect House on the Princeton University campus, this day‑and‑a‑half gathering brings together leaders from across the justice and media ecosystems — prosecutors, defenders, judges, journalists, PIOs, victim‑service professionals, academics, advocates, and policymakers. The goal: to develop shared standards and practical tools that strengthen public trust and improve how information is released throughout the lifecycle of a case.

Why Ethical Communication Matters Now

Today, news breaks in seconds. Arrest videos, body‑worn camera footage, mugshots, livestreams, influencer commentary, and AI‑generated summaries can shape public opinion long before a case reaches a courtroom. These rapidly evolving dynamics can impact jury pools, community trust, victim well‑being, and the fairness of the process itself.

This symposium responds directly to that urgency. Together, participants will examine how to balance transparency with due process, how to responsibly contextualize data, how to avoid harmful or inaccurate narratives, and how to elevate dignity, safety, and accountability in all communications.

Day One: Foundations, Frameworks & Emerging Challenges

Welcome & Opening Remarks

The program begins with welcomes from leaders across academia, philanthropy, and prosecution, followed by opening remarks focused on integrity, fairness, and cross‑sector accountability in criminal case communications.

Media Narratives, Public Trust & Legal Boundaries (CLE Ethics)

In this opening plenary, experts explore the powerful role early information plays in shaping perceptions and outcomes. The session examines how videos, records, commentary, and digital sharing can compromise both fairness and legitimacy if not handled with clear ethical guidelines. Speakers break down the legal guardrails that communicators must navigate, including defamation, privacy, and First Amendment constraints.

Breakout Session I

Participants choose between two impactful tracks:

Legal Boundaries & Safeguards (CLE Ethics)
A hands‑on session for identifying gaps, strengthening internal protocols, and embedding principles of safety, fairness, dignity, and accountability into communication policies.

Centering Impacted Voices
A discussion focused on survivors, communities, defendants, and families — exploring trauma‑informed communication, privacy considerations, and approaches that elevate dignity rather than cause harm.

Breakout Session II

Justice Communicated (CLE)
A systems‑level look at how prosecutors, defenders, courts, and law enforcement can coordinate public messaging responsibly. Topics include duty‑to‑inform, model communication protocols, and preserving case integrity while informing the public.

Using Data & AI as a Vehicle for Justice
Experts examine how to use data and emerging AI tools to communicate crime trends responsibly — avoiding misinterpretation, oversimplification, or bias, and ensuring clarity, accuracy, and context.

Fairness & Accuracy in Emerging Media

Podcasts. Livestreams. Documentaries. Social media. In these spaces, coverage can be fast, sensational, or incomplete. This session provides model practices for ensuring fairness and accuracy when traditional journalistic standards are inconsistent or absent.

Keynote: The Current State of Crime Reporting

A national media leader delivers an in‑depth look at how journalism is changing — and what responsible reporting looks like in an era of digital platforms, shifting audience expectations, and constant news velocity.

A reception closes Day One.

Day Two: Trust, Legitimacy & Sustainable Change

Keynote — Crime and Punishment in America

Award‑winning documentary storytelling provides an entry point into how narratives shape public views of crime, justice, and accountability.

Ethics in Action (CLE Ethics)

This session explores practical ways to embed fairness, neutrality, transparency, and voice into daily decision‑making across systems — from courts to prosecution to the media.

Closing Plenary — Championing Model Policies & Sustainable Change

Leaders from government, media, and philanthropy discuss how ethical communication principles can be integrated into legislation, policy, supervision, training, and long‑term institutional culture. The conversation centers on how to maintain these standards during leadership changes, high‑pressure events, and evolving media landscapes.

An invitation‑only roundtable follows for deeper collaborative planning.

Who Should Attend

This symposium is designed for:

• Prosecutors and defense attorneys
• Judges and court leadership
• Law enforcement and PIOs
• Journalists, editors, and communications professionals
• Victim‑services and community‑based advocates
• Policy experts, scholars, and researchers

Ethical communication is a shared responsibility — and this convening ensures that all stakeholders are in the same room, building the same foundation.

Event Details

Dates: March 19–20, 2026
Location: Prospect House, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Registration:

• APA Members — $50
• Non‑Members — $75
  Hotel: Graduate Princeton (block closes March 3)

Register Today

Join us at Princeton for this national conversation on how to improve fairness, accuracy, and trust in criminal case communications.

👉 Save your seat: https://bit.ly/46rC40o