NCJ Number
80737
Journal
Urban Life Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: (January 1981) Pages: 395-414
Date Published
1981
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Police-district attorney interactions in the determination of case handling are examined, based upon an analysis of data gathered during 13 months of observing such interactions in an urban east-coast city.
Abstract
In 1975, the district attorney established a bureau, known as the Early Case Assessment Bureau, staffed primarily with senior assistant district attorneys (ADA's). The bureau screens all incoming felony arrests. This screening process involves both the review of the arrest charges and the selection of the more serious felony offenses for immediate action in superior court. All other felony arrests which are likely to be reduced to misdemeanor charges are handled in the lower courts. The observed interaction between the arresting officers and the ADA's can be characterized as antagonistic cooperation, stemming largely from differing objectives. The police officers want a felony arrest and clearance to their own and the department's credit. The ADA's want a case that is properly charged so that it can be won in court or can be satisfactorily plea-bargained. Some of the dialog heard between arresting officers and ADA's is presented. Two notes and 13 references are listed.