NCJ Number
69687
Date Published
1968
Length
113 pages
Annotation
Recommendations for Florida's criminal justice system are presented in this Florida State Committee on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice report.
Abstract
The committee was organized in 1966 to establish a basis for the State's participation in the Federal Omnibus Crime Control Act. Its goal was to find ways to halt the increase in crime, to enhance the security of persons and property, to deal effectively with criminal offenders, and to insure fairness throughout the criminal process. Members represented various levels of law enforcement, government, and research and crime control programs. Recommendations include a reevaluation of the Florida Bureau of Law Enforcement in terms of providing adequate resources for conducting a state-wide campaign against organized crime, narcotics, and other vices. Also recommended are better police training and opportunities for higher education, financial assistance for the Florida Youth Services Division programs, and a permanent group of citizens, to constantly evaluate crime control facilities, to direct research, and to guide new legislation. Centralization of urban police agencies is needed to end the fragmentation of law enforcement efforts, as well as more research on crime and delinquency, particular on the early detection of childhood signs of delinquency. Also needed are a central assistance source for civic groups which disseminate information on crime and a mandatory education program in the public schools which would teach the ill effects of narcotics. More treatment facilities for young addicts should be established. The police should receive higher salaries and greater recognition for their services. Further, legislation should be passed prohibiting the infiltration of organized crime into legitimate business enterprises. Finally, the justice system would benefit from outside counsel opportunities for local grand juries, restructured bail and bond practices, greater scrutiny of the qualifications for members of the judiciary, and full-time employment of State attorneys and county solicitors. Appendixes include information on the survey techniques utilized, on the committee members, on the State's Law Enforcement Act, and on the history of U.S. law enforcement.