Karen Sosa

  • Crime & Justice Research Fellow, 2011-2013
Karen Sosa

Biography

Karen joined Policy Exchange’s Crime and Justice Unit as an intern in February 2011 and became a Research Fellow in December 2011.  She has authored the Policy Exchange publications, Proceed with Caution: Use of Out-of-Court Disposals in England and Wales (2012) and In the Public Interest: Reforming the Crown Prosecution Service (2012).

Prior to joining Policy Exchange, Karen trained as a lawyer in the United States, and she is a member of the California Bar. Karen worked in the Major Crimes Unit of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, where she assisted on homicide, rape, and felony kidnapping prosecutions. She also previously worked for White & Case LLP and the United States Attorney’s Office in Washington, DC.

Karen has a B.A. in Ancient History from Columbia University, a J.D. from UCLA School of Law, and an LL.M. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the London School of Economics.

Related Publications

  • In the Public Interest: Reforming the Crown Prosecution Service

    14 December 2012

    In the Public Interest explores the role and responsibility of the Crown Prosecution Service. It says the prosecution service should retain its powers but calls for more transparency and accountability when it comes to measuring the organisation’s successes and failures.

  • Proceed with Caution: Use of Out-of-Court Disposals in England & Wales

    12 July 2012

    New analysis by Policy Exchange shows that there is widespread and inconsistent use of out-of-court disposals such as cautions and penalty notices. Proceed with Caution also finds that some serious offenders are escaping justice by avoiding prosecution or because many simply do not pay a penalty notice. 

Related News

  • Failed criminal cases cost the public purse £25 million in the past year

    18 December 2012

    The Evening Standard covers Policy Exchange report In The Public Interest. The article cites findings from the report which shows the Crown Prosecution Service has seen tens of thousands of cases collapse each year and calls for urgent reform of the organisation.

  • CPS criticised for dropping one in ten cases after suspect is charged

    14 December 2012

    Crime & Justice Research Fellow Karen Sosa is quoted in The Daily Telegraph discussing findings from recent Policy Exchange report In the Public Interest. Karen argues that although the Crown Prosecution Service has made vast improvements over the years, it needs to do more to reduce the number of cases being dropped each year.

  • Prosecutors abandon one in ten criminal cases at cost of £25m

    14 December 2012

    Karen Sosa, Policy Exchange Crime & Justice Research Fellow and author of In the Public Interest, is quoted in The Times discussing findings from the report. Karen argues that the Crown Prosecution Service should retain its powers but stressed that the public and the police are being let down by the CPS dropping too many prosecutions.

  • On-spot fines going unpaid

    23 July 2012

    The Northern Echo cite findings from recent Policy Exchange report Proceed with Caution that the number of out of court penalties being handed out have soared over recent years. Crime & Justice Research Fellow Karen Sosa is quoted calling for more transparency and oversight of cautions to ensure they are applied appropriately.

  • Up to half of offences dealt with out of court in some areas

    12 July 2012

    Proceed with Caution is covered by The Daily Telegraph. Report author and Crime & Justice Research Fellow Karen Sosa is quoted remarking on the inconsistent use of out-of-court disposals.

  • 'Erratic use' of cautions condemned

    12 July 2012

    The Press Assocation cites figures from Proceed With Caution a new research note released by Policy Exchange. It reveals that out-of-court penalties have increased by 68% from 2003 to 2011.

  • Thugs get off with caution

    12 July 2012

    The Daily Express reports of findings of an increase in the use of out-of-court penalties from Policy Exchange's research note Proceed With Caution. Author and Crime and Justice Research Fellow, Karen Sosa is quoted highlighting the concern of this increase in the last 10 years.

  • Thousands of arsonists and thugs 'let off with fines and cautions' in worrying rise in out-of-court penalties

    12 July 2012

    The Daily Mail covers new research released by Policy Exchange in Proceed With Caution revealing an increase in the use of out-of-court penalties.

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Related Blogs

  • It's time for the Crown Prosecution Service to grow up

    14 December 2012

    Karen Sosa, Crime & Justice Research Fellow at Policy Exchange and author of recent report In the Public Interest, writes highlighting failings with the Crown Prosecution Service. She calls for greater accountability for the organisation, as well as a greater public-facing approach to its work.