NCJ Number
9909
Date Published
1971
Length
89 pages
Annotation
PROJECT DESIGNED TO IMPROVE CONTROL OVER PROSECUTION WITNESSES BY REDUCING UNNECESSARY TRIPS TO COURT AND DEVELOPING MEANS FOR PRODUCING WITNESSES WHEN NEEDED.
Abstract
THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE PROJECT WAS TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY DELAY IN CRIMINAL COURT PROCEEDINGS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME REDUCING THE INCONVENIENCE THAT OFTEN BEFALLS POLICE AND CITIZEN WITNESSES IN THE SCHEDULING OF COURT APPEARANCES. THIS DOCUMENT IS A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE FIRST YEAR'S PILOT OPERATIONS, AND OUTLINES PROPOSED PLANS FOR THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES. THE PILOT OPERATIONS SERVED TO STRENGTHEN SEVERAL PREMISES - 1) EFFECTIVE PROSECUTION OF CRIMINAL CASES NEED NOT INVOLVE LARGE AMOUNTS OF WASTED TIME TO WITNESSES AND, ON THE CONTRARY, DEPENDS IN LARGE MEASURE ON A MINIMIZING OF INCONVENIENCE TO PROSECUTION WITNESSES, 2) POLICE PATROL FORCES AND THEIR ACTIVITIES CAN BE INCREASED BY OPERATIONAL COORDINATION OF THE TYPE EMPLOYED IN THE PROJECT BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND THE COURTS, AND 3) CIVILIAN COMPLAINANTS AND WITNESSES DO APPEAR WHEN SUMMONED TO COURT IF THEY HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THEIR APPEARANCE WILL ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)