Date Posted: 10/21/2009

The New York Prosecutors Training Institute (NYPTI) is currently in the process of redesigning the Brief Bank that serves NDAA//NAPC/AGACL/NYPTI, and Prosecutors throughout the country. The new system is the Prosecutors' Encyclopedia. We hope to launch Summer/Fall of 2010 if you can wait a little or even want to assist in the migration or by writing articles (we can discuss off forum if interested) that would be fantastic. Migration/Initial article creation will begin in December/January.





This has been a massive undertaking with extensive planning and much more than just starting a Wiki or improving the existing Brief Bank. We have incorporated numerous unique features and have received partnerships from State and Federal agencies and a major provider of legal research to make this project a reality – achieving something that will truly be a Prosecutors' Encyclopedia for Prosecutors nation-wide. One primary aspect of the system is that it will be in a Wiki format similar to what was posted yesterday, but also much more:





1. The Prosecutors Encyclopedia will contain every published decision from every State and receive daily updates of court decisions from across the country. These decisions will be linked to articles already in the Prosecutors' Encyclopedia. And when writing an article the system will automatically detect sites and provide direct links to the decisions. Upon launch we anticipate the system having over 4 million decisions.


2. Automatic linking of articles, decisions, documents, briefs, transcripts, videos based on user interactions;


3. Greatly enhanced searching capabilities combining the tools used by premium legal content providers with the technology employed by popular search engines;


4. Every user will be permitted and encouraged to contribute to the system by uploading and exchanging information; postings will allow readers to e-mail various authors.


5. A searchable database of users, with mass email capabilities;


6. Forums to discuss current issues facing prosecutors;


7. The ability to directly email any contributor of information; and


8. In addition to the prewritten briefs and thousands of transcripts already available – the system will also have streaming video of expert testimony so you will be able to see an experts demeanor and style on the stand rather than just read a bland transcript.


9. Easy to sign up for accounts and maintain account information - built in automation.


10. Totally secure system, with built in safe guards to remove users automatically if they leave a DA's office.








Sean Smith


Technical Resource Attorney


New York Prosecutors Training Institute (NYPTI)


107 Columbia Street


Albany, New York 12210


Phone: (518) 432-1100, Ext. 207


Fax: (518) 432-1180Sean.Smith@NYPTI.org