NCJ Number
58593
Date Published
1978
Length
102 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT EXPLORES 11 PRIMARY AND 13 SECONDARY PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY WITNESSES IN DISTRICT ATTORNEYS' OR PUBLIC DEFENDERS' OFFICES DURING CALIFORNIA COURT SYSTEM CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.
Abstract
STAFF MEMBERS OF THE WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS REVIEWED RESOURCE MATERIALS, DESIGNED A SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE, AND CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS TO DETERMINE HOW CALIFORNIA PROSECUTORS, PUBLIC DEFENDERS, AND COURTS WERE ASSISTING WITNESSES. QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES WERE RECEIVED FROM 11 MUNICIPAL AND 9 SUPERIOR COURTS, 18 DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, AND 16 PUBLIC DEFENDERS. WITNESSES IN SACRAMENTO, SAN MATEO, AND SANTA CLARA COUNTY PROGRAMS ALSO WERE INTERVIEWED. SURVEY FINDINGS INDICATED THAT WITNESS TREATMENT SERVICES IN CALIFORNIA WERE BELOW AVERAGE; THAT SERVICES MOST OFTEN PROVIDED WERE WITNESS NOTIFICATION SERVICES, BRIEFINGS, TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING, AND FEE PAYMENT; AND THAT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS WERE MOST ACTIVE IN PROVIDING SERVICES. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS, BASED ON 11 PRIMARY AND 13 SECONDARY PROBLEM AREAS IDENTIFIED BY SURVEY WITNESSES, CALL FOR COURT PROVISION OF RECEPTION CENTERS, DAY CARE, AND FREE PARKING; COURT NOTIFICATION OF WITNESSES BY MAIL RATHER THAN BY FORMAL SUBPOENA PROCEDURES; AND COURT-DESIGNED EXIT QUESTIONNAIRES TO SURVEY WITNESS RESPONSES AND TO EVALUATE WITNESS TREATMENT. FURTHER SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE UNIFORM, ANNOUNCED COURT POLICIES FOR FEE PAYMENT; EFFICIENT COURT CALENDARING POLICIES; PROVISION BY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OR PUBLIC DEFENDERS OF AN INFORMATIONAL WITNESS HANDBOOK; ECONOMICAL USE OF WITNESS TIME AND EMPLOYER ASSISTANCE. A BIBLIOGRAPHY, SECTION ON WITNESS CENTER LOCATIONS, COMMENTARY BY THE CALIFORNIA DISTRICT ATTORNEYS' ASSOCIATION, AND FIVE APPENDIXES ARE INCLUDED. (AOP)