NCJ Number
25417
Journal
Judicature Volume: 58 Issue: 10 Dated: (MAY 1975) Pages: 486-493
Date Published
1975
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A REVIEW OF THE BRONX CASE EVALUATION SYSTEM, WHICH DESCRIBES THE SYSTEM'S METHOD OF DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF OBJECTIVELY AND NUMERICALLY EVALUATING THE EVIDENTIARY STRENGTH OF A CASE.
Abstract
DUE TO INCREASED NUMBERS OF CASES, MANY PROSECUTORS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO EMPLOY SELECTIVE PROSECUTION, CONCENTRATING ON CERTAIN MAJOR TYPES OF CRIME. HOWEVER, THIS SYSTEM OF PROSECUTION TENDS TO IGNORE DIFFERENCES IN THE SERIOUSNESS OF CRIMES AMONG THE SAME CRIME TYPE. TO MORE ACCURATELY ASSESS THE SERIOUSNESS OF A CASE. NONCRIME-SPECIFIC CASE EVALUATION SYSTEMS ARE BEING DEVELOPED WHICH MEASURE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENSE, SERIOUSNESS OF THE DEFENDANT'S RECORD, AND THE EVIDENTIARY STRENGTH OF THE CASE. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRONX SYSTEM, WHICH INVOLVES ALL THESE ELEMENTS, IS DESCRIBED. EACH CASE IS EVALUATED BY MEANS OF A CASE EVALUATION FORM, WHICH APPLIES WEIGHTED VALUES TO EACH ASPECT OF THE CASE. USING THIS METHOD, ANY STAFF-MEMBER CAN MAKE A CASE ASSESSMENT IN LINE WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S POLICY. OBJECTIVITY IS ACHIEVED BEACUSE THE FACTORS USED FOR THE EVALUATION ARE STATISTICALLY DERIVED AND REQUIRE ONLY MINIMAL SUBJECTIVE INTERPRETATION. WITH THE SPECIAL COOPERATION FROM THE COURTS RECEIVED UNDER THE BRONX CASE EVALUATION SYSTEM, IT WAS NOTED THAT 97 PERCENT OF ALL THE CASES EVALUATED AS MAJOR OFFENSES RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS, AND THE MEDIAN TIME FROM ARREST TO FINAL DISPOSITION WAS REDUCED TO 74 DAYS.