ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR EVALUATING INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEMS

• NCJ Number: 53957
• Author(s): A L SCHNEIDER; H F FEINMAN
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 54 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE EVALUATION, WASHINGTON, DC, FEBRUARY 1977

Annotation

FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF INDIGENT DEFENSE STUDIES, SEVERAL ALTERNATIVE MODELS FOR OUTCOME EVALUATIONS OF INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEMS FOCUSING ON PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICES AND OTHER MEANS OF DELIVERING DEFENSE SERVICES ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

THE REVIEW OF INDIGENT DEFENSE STUDIES CONSIDERS: THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION, ELIGIBILITY, CRIME IMPACT, AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS. THE GREATEST DEFICIENCY IN THE LITERATURE CONCERNS EMPIRICAL STUDIES RELATING VARIOUS METHODS FOR DELIVERING SERVICES WITH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM. LITTLE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE EXISTS CONCERNING THE COST EFFECTIVENESS OF METHODS OF DELIVERING INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES. INFORMATION ALSO IS LACKING ON THE CRIME IMPACT OF ALTERNATIVE INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEMS. THE STUDY IDENTIFIES THREE GOALS FOR PROGRAMS WHICH PROVIDE COUNSEL TO INDIGENTS: (1) PROVIDE EFFECTIVE, HIGH QUALITY REPRESENTATION FOR THE POOR; (2) DEVELOP PROCEDURES FOR INSURING THAT A FAIR DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY IS MADE; AND (3) OBTAIN POSITIVE IMPACTS ON THE ACCUSED AND ON HIS INTENTION TO STOP CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. EVALUATION MODELS ARE PROPOSED WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE COLLECTIONS AND ANALYSIS OF DATA IN RELATION TO EACH OF THESE GOALS. THE EQUAL REPRESENTATION MODEL OF EVALUATION MEASURES THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION RECEIVED BY INDIGENTS, IDENTIFIES THE CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO BOTH HIGHER AND LOWER QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION, AND DETERMINES WHETHER DIFFERENCES IN THE METHODS OF DELIVERING INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENCES IN THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION PROVIDED. THE DATA TO BE GATHERED AND METHODOLOGY TO BE USED FOR ANALYSIS ARE DESCRIBED AND PRESENTED IN A TABLE. AN EVALUATION MODEL FOR ASSESSING THE FAIRNESS OF DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY INCLUDES BOTH THE CRITERIA TO BE USED AND THE DATA NEEDED TO DETERMINE IF THE CRITERIA ARE BEING MET. A CRIME IMPACT MODEL FOR EVALUATION AIMS AT DETERMINING WHICH CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIGENT DEFENSE PROGRAMS ARE MOST LIKELY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION AND REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF RECIDIVISM. THE DATA NEEDED AND METHODOLOGY REQUIRED FOR THIS MODEL ARE CONSIDERED. (RCB)