NCJ Number
43957
Date Published
1977
Length
28 pages
Annotation
A PROTOTYPE, LOW-COST, MINICOMPUTER-BASED PROSECUTOR'S CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM DEVELOPED AND TESTED IN THE SUFFOLK COUNTY (MASS.) DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SYSTEM WERE UNDERTAKEN COOPERATIVELY BY THE NATIONAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION AND THE SUFFOLK COUNTY OFFICE, WHICH IS LOCATED IN BOSTON. THE PURPOSE OF THE REPORT IS TO ASSIST OTHER PROSECUTORS WHO WISH TO CHANGE FROM A MANUAL OR SEMIAUTOMATED OPERATION TO A FULLY AUTOMATED SYSTEM AT A RELATIVELY LOW COST. THE REPORT OPENS WITH BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CONCEPTS UNDERLYING BOTH MANUAL AND AUTOMATED CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. GUIDELINES ARE PRESENTED TO ASSIST PROSECUTORS IN PREPARING TO AUTOMATE THEIR OPERATIONS. THE BASIC FUNCTIONAL DESIGN OF THE SUFFOLK COMPUTERIZED CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IS DESCRIBED, AS ARE THE PROBLEMS THAT AROSE IN IMPLEMENTING THE SYSTEM. THE SUFFOLK SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE MANAGEMENT CONTROL OVER DAY-TO-DAY OFFICE OPERATIONS, INTEGRATION OF THE DISTRICT COURT AND SUPERIOR COURT DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICES, CASE-TRACKING METHODS, THE ASSIGNMENT OF PRIORITIES TO CASES, AND THE OVERALL ABILITY TO ALLOCATE RESOURCES. THE LISTS AND REPORTS PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM ARE DESCRIBED, AND ADVANTAGES OF FLEXIBILITY, SECURITY AND PRIVACY, COST AND MANAGEMENT ARE NOTED. THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM IS DESCRIBED, AND ANTICIPATED REFINEMENTS IN AND ADDITIONS TO THE SYSTEM ARE NOTED. SAMPLE PRINTOUTS ARE APPENDED.