NCJ Number
64093
Date Published
1979
Length
101 pages
Annotation
THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1979 NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON PRETRIAL SERVICES CONTAIN MAJOR ADDRESSES, WORKSHOP, SUMMARIES, AND HIGHLIGHTS OF FORUM ISSUES. BAIL REFORM, OFFENDER DANGEROUSNESS AND JAIL COSTS ARE TOPICS.
Abstract
IN THE OPENING ADDRESS, THE KENTUCKY'S GOVERNOR DISCUSSES STRATEGY TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE DISPENSED THROUGHOUT HIS STATE, PARTICULARLY THROUGH THE KENTUCKY BAIL REFORM MEASURE. TO MAKE THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM WORK, THE STATE NEEDS MORE INTEGRATED AND COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMS OF PRETRIAL SERVICES. A PANEL DISCUSSION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN THE 1980'S CONSIDERS THE GREATER PRESSURE THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL HAVE TO BEAR, DUE IN PART TO CURRENT PHILOSOPHICAL AND FISCAL CONSERVATISM. ONE PANEL MEMBER CONTENDS THAT MEDIA MYTHS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PUBLIC'S FEELING THAT THE NATION'S COURTS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY LENIENT IN DEALING WITH CRIMINALS. OTHER SPECIAL PANELS PROVIDED A BROAD OVERVIEW OF PRETRIAL SERVICES WITH EMPHASIS ON HOW THESE SERVICES AFFECT THE JUDICIAL PROCESS AT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS; DISCUSSION LEGAL ISSUES IN RELEASE, SUCH AS QUESTIONS ABOUT BONDSMEN, CASH BAIL, PREVENTIVE DETENTION, AND DEFENDANT DANGEROUSNESS; A FORECAST STATEMENT ON PRETRIAL DETENTION, PARTICULARLY REFERENCING THE QUESTION OF BAIL AS A RIGHT OR A PRIVILEGE AND THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF DENYING A PERSON BAIL; CASE STUDIES ON REDUCING JAIL POPULATIONS; AND CONSIDERATIONS OF THE CENTRAL INTAKE CENTER, AND THE VALIDITY OF POINT SYSTEMS IN DETERMINING RELEASE ELIGIBILITY FOR PRETRIAL DEFENDANTS. OTHER ISSUES EXAMINED WERE CONDITIONAL AND SUPERVISED RELEASE, DIVERSION PROGRAM FAILURE, NONFINANCIAL RESTITUTION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDERS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF VICTIM/WITNESS SERVICES, AND MEDIATION/ARBITRATION AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESSING. OVERVIEW OF LEAA NATIONAL PROGRAMS, THE BASICS OF EVALUATION AND COST ANALYSIS, AND SPECIALIZED RESEARCH FOR MANAGEMENT WERE PRESENTED. ISSUES DISCUSSED IN THE FORUM SESSIONS INCLUDED PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE OF PRETRIAL SERVICES, THE DANGEROUS DEFENDANT AND PRETRIAL DETENTION, AND THE FUTURE OF ALTERNATIVES TO PROSECUTION. PARTICIPANTS ARE URGED TO DEMONSTRATE HOW THEIR PROGRAMS ARE COMPLEMENTARY AND SUPPORTIVE OF LEGITIMATE CONCERNS ABOUT COST AND COMMUNITY SAFETY; TO NOT BECOME COMPLACENT ABOUT WHAT ALREADY HAS BEEN ACHIEVED, AND TO REMAIN COMMITTED. SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS AND APPENDIXES CONTAINING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS, THE SYMPOSIUM CALENDAR, AND A LIST OF ATTENDEES ARE INCLUDED. (PRG)