NCJ Number
44432
Journal
Trial Volume: 14 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1978) Pages: 36-42
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROTOTYPE, LOW-COST, COMPUTER-BASED PROSECUTOR'S CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE SUFFOLK COUNTY (BOSTON, MASS.) DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE EXPERIENCE OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTY OFFICE IS DRAWN UPON TO ILLUSTRATE THE DECISION PROCESS THAT PROSECUTORS SHOULD FOLLOW IN DETERMINING WHETHER TO AUTOMATE THEIR OFFICES AND TO EXPLAIN THE STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN IMPLEMENTING AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM. BY INTRODUCING A COMPUTER-BASED SYSTEM, THE SUFFOLK COUNTY OFFICE SOUGHT IMPROVEMENTS IN FOUR AREAS: INCREASED MANAGEMENT CONTROL OVER DAY-TO-DAY OFFICE OPERATIONS; IMPROVED INTEGRATION BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND SUPERIOR COURT DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICES; IMPROVED CASE-TRACKING AND PRIORITY-SETTING CAPACITY; AND INCREASED EFFECTIVENESS OF PROSECUTION THROUGH BETTER ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES. IN LIGHT OF THESE REQUIREMENTS, IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE COMPUTER-ASSISTED SYSTEM SHOULD AUTOMATE THOSE FUNCTIONS THAT COULD LIGHTEN OR ELIMINATE HUMAN EFFORT, SUCH AS AUTOMATIC PREPARATION OF ALL COURT AND GRAND JURY LISTS AND UPDATE OF CASE RECORDS. THE SYSTEM WOULD ALSO PROVIDE STATISTICAL AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION. THE SYSTEM THAT EVOLVED IS A PROTOTYPE FOR ALL DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICES. IN ADDITION TO ITS REALISTIC SIZE, THE SYSTEM'S ADVANTAGES INCLUDE ITS FLEXIBILITY WITH REGARD TO BOTH HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, ITS SECURITY AND PRIVACY FEATURES, AND THE VARIETY OF ITS CASE-HANDLING FEATURES. IMPLEMENTATION COST FOR THE SYSTEM IS $100,000 FOR OFFICES HANDLING 2,500 OR FEWER DEFENDANTS, AND A MAXIMUM OF $250,000 FOR LARGE OFFICES HANDLING UP TO 12,000 DEFENDANTS. MAINTENANCE COSTS ARE UNDER $5,000 ANNUALLY. EXISTING PERSONNEL CAN BE TRAINED TO OPERATE THE SYSTEM. IMPLEMENTATION, INSTALLATION, AND TRAINING CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED IN 6 MONTHS. SAMPLES OF THE SYSTEM'S OUTPUT ARE INCLUDED.