FUTURE TRENDS IN THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM - A LOOK AT WHAT LIES AHEAD (FROM UNAFEI - REPORT FOR 1975 AND RESOURCE MATERIALS NO 11, 1976 - SEE NCJ-37161)

• NCJ Number: 37162
• Author(s): I J SHAIN
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Overview Text
• Language: English
• Country: United Nations

Annotation

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE STRUCTURE AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE AMERICAN (AND PARTICULARLY THE CALIFORNIAN) CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND OF ANTICIPATED TRENDS PRESENTED TO AN AUDIENCE OF JAPANESE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS.

Abstract

SUMMARIZED ARE ANTICIPATED CHANGES IN INDETERMINATE SENTENCE LAWS, DECRIMINALIZATION OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES, ELIMINATION OF THE LEGAL CATEGORY OF 'DELINQUENT TENDENCIES', LEGAL PROTECTION OF JUVENILE DEFENDANTS, AND OTHER REVISIONS OF THE CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE CODES. CORRECTIONAL TRENDS INCLUDE GREATER USE OF DIVERSION AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS, GREATER PROTECTION OF OFFENDERS' RIGHTS, REORGANIZATION OF PROBATION AGENCIES, GREATER SHARING OF CORRECTIONAL RESOURCES AMONG SEVERAL UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, INCREASED USE OF VOLUNTEERS, PROFESSIONALIZATION OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS, AND DECREASED USE OF LARGE SECURITY-CONSCIOUS INSTITUTIONS. COURT TRENDS INCLUDE REFORM OF THE JUDGE SELECTION PROCESS, COURT CONSOLIDATION, INCREASED USE OF COURT ADMINISTRATORS, STANDARDIZATION OF PLEA BARGAINING PROCEDURES, REDUCTION IN COURT DELAY, AND REDUCTION IN SENTENCING DISPARITY. FINALLY, LAW ENFORCEMENT TRENDS INCLUDE GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY AND HUMANIZATION OF POLICE SERVICES, LEGISLATION TO BAN POLICE WORK STOPPAGES, AND INCREASED SOPHISTICATION OF TECHNOLOGY.