NCJ Number
50285
Date Published
1977
Length
39 pages
Annotation
THE WITNESS LIAISON PROGRAM IN BROWARD COUNTY, FLA., WAS INSTITUTED TO PROVIDE A COURT COORDINATION SERVICE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AND OTHER WITNESSES TO REDUCE EXPENDITURES FOR WITNESSES WHO DO NOT NEED TO TESTIFY.
Abstract
THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM WAS TO MINIMIZE EXPENDITURES AND STAFF USE WHILE INCREASING COURT PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVING PUBLIC OPINION TOWARD THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IN ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION, THE PROGRAM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR COORDINATING COURT APPEARANCES (INCLUDING PRETRIAL CONFERENCES AND DIPOSITIONS) FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL EMPLOYED BY 26 POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY. COORDINATION ACTIVITIES ENCOMPASSED ALL FELONY, MISDEMEANOR, AND JUVENILE CASES FILED IN THE SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA. ONLY ABOUT 8 PERCENT OF ALL FELONY CASES FILED IN THE CIRCUIT ACTUALLY PROCEEDED TO TRIAL REALIZING A SUBSTANTIAL SAVING IN STAFF HOURS; PRIOR TO THE WITNESS LIAISON PROGRAM, ALL SUBPOENAED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WERE REQUIRED TO BE IN COURT ON THE DATE OF THE TRIAL REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY WOULD BE NEEDED TO TESTIFY. BY REDUCING STAFF UTILIZATION, TAX SAVINGS WERE REALIZED. AS A DIRECT RESULT OF WITNESS MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION PROCEDURES, THE PERCENTAGE OF CASES DISMISSED DUE TO A LACK OF WITNESSES WAS REDUCED GREATLY. THE FOLLOWING FACTORS HELPED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC OPINION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: VICTIMS, WITNESSES, AND POLICE OFFICERS WERE KEPT INFORMED ABOUT THE STATUS OF A PARTICULAR CASE AT ALL TIMES; PROPERTY WAS RETURNED TO OWNERS; TRANPORTATION SERVICES WERE PROVIDED; A WITNESS LOUNGE FACILITY WAS PROVIDED; VICTIM RESTITUTION ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED; AND PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS WERE CONDUCTED. STATISTICAL DATA ON THE PROGRAM'S OPERATION FROM AUGUST 8, 1976 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1977 ARE INCLUDED. THREE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE TO ESTABLISH A COUNTYWIDE VICTIM ADVOCATE PROGRAM, TO ESTABLISH A COUNTYWIDE COMPUTER-BASED PROPERTY RETURN SYSTEM, AND TO APPLY FOR CONSTRUCTION FUNDS IN ORDER TO OVERHAUL FACILITIES. NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CRIME PROGRAMS ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)