CASE FOR THE PRETRIAL DIVERSION OF HEROIN ADDICTS FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

• NCJ Number: 9952
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 190 pages
• Corporate Author: American Bar Assoc.
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPORT BY SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Annotation

A POSITION PAPER ON THE ADVANTAGES OF COURT DIVERSION AND A BLUEPRINT FOR PROGRAM PROCEDURES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PILOT PROJECTS FOR DRUG USERS.

Abstract

THE PRESENT SYSTEM VIS-A-VIS THE ADDICT-DEFENDANT IS CONSIDERED. THE EFFECTS ON POLICE, PROSECUTORS, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS CAUSED BY THE VOLUME OF NARCOTICS-RELATED STREET CRIME ARE CONTEMPLATED. THE REPORT LOOKS AT THE OPERATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF AN ADDICT WHO HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND PROCESSED THROUGH IT. THERE IS AN ANALYSIS OF DATA OBTAINED FROM A 1971 YEAR-LONG SURVEY OF 1,716 ADDICTED DEFENDANTS WHO PASSED THROUGH THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE FINDINGS PROVIDE INSIGHTS FOR SHAPING A DIVERSION PROGRAM IN AREAS SUCH AS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, MONITORING AND SURVEILLANCE PROCEDURES, LENGTH OF TIME IN TREATMENT, COUNSELING, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. EXISTING ADDICT DIVERSION PROJECTS AND STATUTES ARE CRITIQUED, SUGGESTING DESIRABLE FEATURES FOR A MODEL PROGRAM. THE FINAL SECTION OUTLINES AND COMMENTS UPON THE MAIN FACTORS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN PROPOSING, IMPLEMENTING, AND OPERATING A PROGRAM.