NCJ Number
36541
Date Published
1974
Length
180 pages
Annotation
OBJECTIVE-BY-OBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF THIS IMPACT PROGRAM WHICH ADDED TWO NEW COURTS TO THE BALTIMORE CITY CRIMINAL COURT TO HEAR HIGH IMPACT CASES EXCLUSIVELY.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM WAS TO ENSURE PROMPT PROCESSING OF SERIOUS IMPACT CASES TO MAXIMIZE THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF PROSECUTION AND CONVICTION, REDUCE PRETRIAL DELAYS AND DETENTION, PRESERVE THE MEANS OF PROVING THE CHARGE, AND SHORTEN THE DEFENDANT'S PRETRIAL FREEDOM. THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS WAS EVALUATED ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING EIGHT PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: SCHEDULING PRIORITY TO JAILED DEFENDANTS; REDUCING THE AVERAGE TIME FROM ARREST TO DISPOSITION TO 90 DAYS; APPOINTING DEFENSE COUNSEL WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF THE FILING OF THE INDICTMENT OR INFORMATION; LIMITING THE POSTPONEMENT RATE TO 10 PERCENT; BEGINNING COURT SESSIONS AT 10 A.M.; COMPLETING PRE-SENTENCE REPORTS WITHIN 14 DAYS; AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF IMPACT CASES BROUGHT TO TRIAL. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE A DISCUSSION OF THE SUBSTITUTION OF VIDEOTAPE FOR LIVE TESTIMONY, A REPORT ON A STUDY OF CONVICTION RATES FOR IMPACT DEFENDANTS, AND SAMPLE PROGRAM COMPUTER PRINTOUTS.