It is generally accepted that the federal government has a high rate of success in criminal prosecutions, particularly in cases involving drug offenses, white-collar crimes, and terrorism.
According to statistics from the United States Department of Justice, in the 2019 fiscal year, the federal government secured convictions in 92% of all cases that went to trial. This includes both criminal cases and civil cases in which the government was the plaintiff. Of the cases that did not result in a conviction, approximately 2% were acquitted by a jury, while the remaining cases were either dismissed or resulted in a hung jury.
However, it is important to note that the success rate of the federal government can vary depending on a number of factors. For example, the strength of the evidence against the defendant, the skill and experience of the prosecuting attorneys, and the impartiality of the judge and jury can all play a role in the outcome of a case. Additionally, certain types of cases may be more difficult for the government to win than others. For example, cases involving complex financial crimes or sophisticated technology may require a greater level of expertise from prosecutors, and may therefore be more challenging to win.
Despite the high success rate of the federal government in criminal cases, there have been notable cases in which the government has been unsuccessful in securing a conviction. One such case is the trial of former Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, who was charged with seven counts of making false statements on his financial disclosure forms. Despite the government’s efforts to prove its case, Stevens was acquitted on all counts in 2008. The case was widely criticized for the government’s failure to disclose evidence that could have been favorable to Stevens’ defense, and it ultimately led to a major overhaul of the Justice Department’s discovery procedures.
In summary, the federal government has a relatively high success rate in criminal prosecutions, with convictions being secured in the vast majority of cases that go to trial. However, the outcome of a case can depend on a number of factors, including the strength of the evidence, the experience and skill of the attorneys involved, and the impartiality of the judge and jury. While the government may not win every case, its overall success rate is generally considered to be quite high.