NCJ Number
106257
Date Published
1986
Length
43 pages
Annotation
These guidelines present and explain 23 specific ways that the police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and courts can reduce the numbers of case postponements, increase the consideration of victim and witness concerns in scheduling and rescheduling criminal proceedings, and aid victims and witnesses who face continuances and delays.
Abstract
The American Bar Association developed the guidelines with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice in recognition of the heavy, unpredictable, and longlasting demands that criminal justice scheduling practices place on crime victims. Guidelines recommend prompt and effective communication with victims, avoidance of procedures that cause delays but are not required for the case processing, making such victims and witnesses attend only those proceedings for which their testimony is essential or required by law, careful scheduling of cases, and consideration of victim and witness needs in decisions about rescheduling. Appendix presenting commentaries on American Bar Association standards on eight topics.