NCJ Number
60576
Date Published
1978
Length
27 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF THE COMMUNITY PROSECUTION PROGRAM IN CHICAGO, ILL., AND THE EXTENT OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENT ARE ASSESSED.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO CONCENTRATE ON THE VERTICAL PROSECUTION OF CASES OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO THE COMMUNITY, CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY GROUPS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES IN MAXIMIZING SUCCESSFUL CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS, AND REFOCUS AND REDIRECT ATTENTION ON THE PLIGHT OF CRIME VICTIMS AND WITNESSES TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT WILL IMPROVE THEIR COMFORT AND SECURITY AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IN THE VERTICAL SYSTEM, A KEY FEATURE OF THE PROGRAM, AN INDIVIDUAL ATTORNEY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL STAGES OF A CASE; THE ATTORNEY ACCOMPANIES THE CASE THOUGH THE COURT FROM THE PRELIMINARY HEARING STAGE TO THE FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR TRIAL STAGE, AS NECESSARY. THE ASSESSMENT OF THIS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PROSECUTION OPERATIONS AND CASELOADS; RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PROSECUTORS AND VARIOUS COMMUNITY GROUPS, VICTIMS, WITNESSES, AND POLICE PERSONNEL; SOURCES OF CASES THAT REACH THE PROGRAM; AND FUNDING. EVALUATION RESULTS DEMONSTRATE THAT THE PROGRAM HAS ACTED WITHIN ITS PRIMARY MISSION BY SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTING FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR CRIMINAL CASES IMPORTANT TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AND THAT COMMUNITY PROSECUTION OFFICES HAVE PROVIDED SOME BENEFITS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITY AREAS. AREAS OF PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT PERTAIN TO VERTICAL PROSECUTION OPERATIONS IN THE COURTROOM, MISUSE OF RESOURCES, DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING ATTORNEYS WITH SUFFICIENT TRIAL EXPERIENCE, AND PROBLEMS IN THE PROGRAM'S METHODOLOGY. SUPPORTING DATA AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)