NCJ Number
63848
Date Published
1978
Length
275 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY, ROLE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS IS EXAMINED, ALONG WITH THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO POLICYMAKING AND THEIR POLITICAL CAREERS.
Abstract
BASED ON OVER 200 INTERVIEWS WITH ATTORNEYS, THEIR ASSISTANTS, FEDERAL DISTRICT JUDGES, INVESTIGATIVE AGENTS, AND PRIVATE ATTORNEYS IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES, THIS STUDY EXAMINES THE ROLE OF UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS IN POLICYMAKING. APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT, U.S. ATTORNEYS REPRESENT THE GOVERNMENT IN LAWSUITS BROUGHT IN FEDERAL DISTRICT COURTS. ACTION IS GIVEN TO THESE ATTORNEYS AT WORK, NEGOTIATING WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, RESPONDING TO JUDGES, WORKING WITH INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES, AND ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN A GOOD PRESS. THE BASIC STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONING OF THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS EXPLAINED AND AN OVERVIEW OF THEIR IMPACT IN FIVE POLICY AREAS IS GIVEN: (1) THE DIRECTION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, (2) THE DIRECTION OF THE FEDERAL CIVIL PROCESS, (3) THE QUALITY AND PUBLIC IMAGE OF FEDERAL JUSTICE, (4) THE LEGAL PROCESS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, AND (5) BEYOND THE LEGAL PROCESS, INCLUDING ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC DEBATE. THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF APPOINTEES ARE DESCRIBED. CONCLUDING MATERIAL SUMMARIZES THE STRATEGIC POSITION OF THE U.S. ATTORNEYS, DESCRIBES IN GENERAL TERMS THEIR PATTERNS OF INTERACTION WITH OTHERS, EXAMINES THE ROLE PRESSURES FROM THEIR DISTRICT PLAY IN SHAPING THEIR BEHAVIOR, EVALUATES PERFORMANCE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, AND MAKES PROPOSALS FOR REFORM. AN APPENDIX PROVIDES THE HISTORY AND METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH, COPIES OF THE INTERVIEW GUIDES, AND COMMENTS ON SUBSEQUENT CAREERS OF FORMER U.S. ATTORNEYS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WENT TO FILL POLICYMAKING POSITIONS. FOOTNOTES AND AN INDEX ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)