NCJ Number
53397
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE WORK OF A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE PREPARATION AND CONDUCT OF DISTRICT COURT CASES IS EVALUATED. THE GOALS ARE BEING MET BUT ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS ARE FOUND.
Abstract
THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR WAS FUNDED BECAUSE 19 OF THE 29 TOWNS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, N.H., HAVE LIMITED OR NO FULL-TIME POLICE DEPARTMENTS. THE TOWNS WERE HAVING DIFFICULTY PREPARING CASES DUE TO LIMITED POLICE CAPABILITY AND LACK OF PROSECUTORIAL EXPERTISE, AND CONSEQUENTLY MANY OFFENDERS WERE GOING FREE. THE EVALUATION DESCRIBES THE WORKLOAD OF THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE WORK OF THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR, LISTS CHARACTERISTICS OF TOWNS SERVED, AND SUMMARIZES CASES HANDLED. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR ASSISTED IN THE PREPARATION OF 58 CASES, HAS FREQUENTLY CONSULTED WITH POLICE CHIEFS BY PHONE, AND HAS CONDUCTED TRAINING SEMINARS FOR THE POLICE IN THE DISTRICT. HOWEVER, THE EVALUATION ALSO FINDS THAT CAREFUL TIME AND WORK RECORDS HAVE NOT BEEN KEPT. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROJECT BE REFUNDED BUT THAT THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE MONITOR IT CLOSELY TO MAKE SURE ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES ARE BEING MET. (GLR)