NCJ Number
52799
Date Published
1978
Length
73 pages
Annotation
A VARIETY OF CIVIL APPROACHES TO DISCOVERING, INVESTIGATING, AND PROSECUTING OFFICIAL CORRUPTION FROM WITHIN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ARE DESCRIBED AND EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL CIVIL ACTIONS ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THIS GUIDE TO STATES' ACTIVITIES IN CORRUPTION CONTROL BEGINS WITH AN OUTLINE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S POWERS OF PROSECUTION AND INVESTIGATION, STATUTORY AUTHORITY IN CORRUPTION CASES, ALTERNATIVES TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION, AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND LOCAL PROSECUTORS. STATES USE THREE BASIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONDUCTING CORRUPTION INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS, INCLUDING CENTRALIZING THE ACTIVITIES UNDER THE CRIME OR ECONOMIC CRIME DIVISIONS OF THE OFFICE, ESTABLISHING SPECIALIZED DIVISIONS FOR CORRUPTION CONTROL, OR CREATING AN OFFICE OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR. THE STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS, AND FINANCIAL FACTORS COMMON TO THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE DISCUSSED. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE COLLECTS INFORMATION ON CORRUPTION CASES FROM CITIZEN INQUIRIES OR COMPLAINTS, REFERRALS FROM OTHER AGENCIES OR LOCAL PROSECUTORS, INFORMANTS' TIPS, AND FROM INVESTIGATION UNITS. THE DATA MUST BE ANALYZED AND PRIORITIES FOR INVESTIGATION MUST BE SELECTED. SOPHISTICATED INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES SUCH AS STATEWIDE GRAND JURIES AND ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE CAN BE USED WITH TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES FOR INVESTIGATING CASES, AND CASE PREPARATION SHOULD ENTAIL CONTINUOUS ANALYSIS OF EVIDENCE TO DETERMINE THE TRUE FACTS AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CASE. SELECTION OF TRIAL AND APPEAL LAWYERS IS COVERED AS WELL AS WITNESS IMMUNITY AND PLEA BARGAINING.