NCJ Number
94973
Date Published
1984
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The controls over the payment of government funds to fact witnesses and expert witnesses as well as to experts who are used in nontrial activities need improvement.
Abstract
Study data came from three United States Attorney's offices and from three United States Marshals Service offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Headquarters officials of the Marshals Service also provided information. Policy and guidelines covering payments are often not followed. Fact witnesses receive payments without proper certification. Errors and misrepresentations exist. The ways used to communicate information to fact witnesses regarding entitlement are not consistent or uniformly effective. Checks are issued to expert witnesses without verifying or questioning billing information. Clear guidelines do not exist regarding the compensation of expert consultants who help with nontrial activities. Clear guidelines, proper completion of claims, supervisory review, and routine notification of fact witnesses are needed. Appendixes present study details and a letter of commentary from the Deputy Attorney General for Administration.