Guide to the Criminal Justice System for General Government Elected Officials

• NCJ Number: 144038
• Author(s): V E Watts
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 55 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: U.S. Advisory Cmssn on Intergovernmental Relations
• Sale Source: U.S. Advisory Cmssn on Intergovernmental Relations; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Policy/Procedure Handbook/Manual
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This guide provides background information on the criminal justice system for use by elected government officials in their oversight role.

Abstract

The guide is limited to actions once a crime occurs, emphasizes State and local governments, focuses on concerns that have major cost impacts across agencies and governments and over time, and provides basic tools to help elected officials improve the functioning of criminal justice agencies. Each section of the guide is designed to stand alone as a ready reference when issues emerge. Guide sections focus on policing, jails, prosecution, indigent offense, pretrial release, courts, victims and witnesses, probation and sanction options, prisons, prison and jail programs, sentencing and parole, prison and jail construction, and the juvenile justice system. Appendixes include crime definitions, a glossary, and sources of additional information. Tables and figures