NCJ Number
61318
Date Published
1979
Length
44 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DESCRIBES THE ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTION OF FEDERAL-STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEES AND OUTLINES SOME AREAS WHERE COORDINATION IS IMPORTANT FOR IMPROVED CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION.
Abstract
THE PRIMARY INITIATIVE FOR ESTABLISHING MOST FEDERAL-STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEES HAS COME FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. THE COMMITTEE CONCEPT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PROSECUTORS WITHIN STATE OR FEDERAL JUDICIAL DISTRICTS WITH AN ONGOING FORUM FOR THE DISCUSSION AND RESOLUTION OF CONCURRENT JURISDICTION PROBLEMS. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO STRICT STANDARDS OR GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING COMMITTEES, THEY SHOULD BE CLOSELY TAILORED TO SPECIFIC NEEDS OF EACH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. ALL COMMITTEES ARE COMPRISED OF BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICIALS BUT DIFFER AS TO WHICH OFFICIALS ARE INCLUDED. VARIOUS ARRANGEMENTS EXIST FOR CHAIRING COMMITTEES; HOWEVER, THE U.S. ATTORNEY IS EITHER CHAIRPERSON OR COCHAIRPERSON IN MOST STATES. IN ADDITION THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RECOMMENDS THAT COMMITTEES MEET TWO TO FOUR TIMES PER YEAR. AREAS SUGGESTED FOR CONSIDERATION BY COMMITTEES INCLUDE AIRCRAFT HIJACKINGS AND RELATED CRIMES, BANK ROBBERIES, CORRUPTION OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND PROGRAMS, CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS, COUNTERFEITING, EXTORTIONIST DEMANDS MADE UPON BANKS AND AIRLINES, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES, ENFORCEMENT OF THE HOBBS ACT THAT PROHIBITS INTERFERENCE WITH INTERSTATE COMMERCE BY ROBBERY OR EXTORTION, PROPERTIES FORECLOSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (THEFT AND VANDALISM), IMMIGRATION-RELATED OFFENSES, INNOVATIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS, JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, LABOR DISPUTES, THE MISSING PERSON AND FUGITIVE FELON ACT, MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS, THE NARCOTIC ADDICT REHABILITATION ACT, OBSCENITY, ORGANIZED CRIME ACTIVITIES, RECORD SHARING AND CONFIDENTIALITY, THE SPEEDY TRIAL ACT, MAIL THEFTS, WILDLIFE LAWS, AND WITNESS SECURITY. EXAMPLES OF FUNCTIONING COMMITTEES IN FLORIDA, IOWA, MASSACHUSETTS, NEW JERSEY, NORTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, AND WYOMING ARE CITED. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)