NCJ Number
46774
Date Published
Unknown
Length
120 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW IS PRESENTED OF THE COMPUTERIZED JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM (JUSTIS) SERVING MILWAUKEE'S COURTS, CLERK OF THE COURTS, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
Abstract
THIS NONTECHNICAL EXPLANATION OF THE SYSTEM'S OPERATION IS A COMPANION TO A TRAINING MANUAL (SEE NCJ 46775). JUSTIS ENTERS MORE THAN 170 ITEMS OF INFORMATION FOR EVERY CASE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THESE ITEMS FALL INTO FOUR MAJOR CATEGORIES: (1) INFORMATION REGARDING TIME, PLACE, NATURE, AND INJURIES RESULTING FROM THE CRIMINAL EVENT; (2) DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE DEFENDANT; (3) INFORMATION SURROUNDING THE CASE AND ITS PROGRESS (ARREST CIRCUMSTANCES, CHARGES ISSUED, COURT EVENT OR TRANSACTIONS WITH RESULTS, AND COPIES OF ALL EVENTS IN THE COURT RECORD); AND (4) INFORMATION ON PARTICIPANTS (VICTIMS, WITNESSES, POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED, PROSECUTORS, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, JUDGES, COURT REPORTERS, AND CLERKS). DATA REMAINS ON-LINE FOR AT LEAST 50 DAYS AFTER FINAL DISPOSTION OF THE CASE, AT WHICH TIME A HARD COPY GOES INTO STORAGE FILES. THE SYSTEM HAS PROVED SELF-CORRECTING IN OPERATION AS EACH DEPARTMENT USING THE INFORMATION SENDS CORRECTIONS TO THE ORIGINATING AGENCY OR MAKES CORRECTIONS THROUGH ITS OWN TERMINAL. COURT CALENDARS ARE NOW PREPARED IN 0.5 HOURS INSTEAD OF THE 8 HOURS FORMERLY REQUIRED. CONFLICTING DATES FOR APPEARANCES OF DEFENSE ATTORNEYS OR EXPERT WITNESSES IN COURT HAVE BEEN GREATLY REDUCED. CHARTS PROVIDE A SYSTEM OVERVIEW. SAMPLES OF REPORTS GENERATED ARE REPRODUCED. SAMPLE TERMINAL-ENTERED INQUIRIES WITH ANSWERS ARE INCLUDED, AND SAMPLES OF THE SUBPOENAS GENERATED BY THE SYSTEM ARE PROVIDED. THE COMPUTER OPERATION IS CREDITED WITH ENABLING THE MILWAUKEE COURT SYSTEM TO KEEP UP WITH THE PAPERWORK REQUIRED FOR ITS EVER INCREASING CASELOADS.