St. Louis, Missouri

In 2018, organizers for prosecutor accountability achieved an incredible win that would not only change the course of St. Louis County history but also alter the landscape of criminal justice throughout the county for years to come. Amidst a wave of campaigning, Wesley Bell won the office of prosecuting attorney, effectively ousting incumbent Robert Mcculloch who had held the position for 7 terms or 28 years. Despite the length of his tenure, McCulloch was increasingly drawing public scrutiny particularly in his handling of the 2014 murder of Michael Brown. The controversy around McCulloch made Wesley Bell’s win a stunning victory for reform advocates. Since his election, Bell has worked to reduce the prosecution of offenses that criminalize poverty, he has committed to eliminating the use of cash bail in his office, and announced the expansion of alternatives to incarceration programs. Advocates were particularly involved throughout the first 100 days of Bell’s term, ensuring that he remained accountable to the promises made during his campaign.