NEW MEXICO STANDARDS AND GOALS - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

• NCJ Number: 60678
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 418 pages
• Grant Number(s): 76-DF-06-0034
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: New Mexico Governor's Council on Criminal Justice Planning
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

STANDARDS AND GOALS ARE PROPOSED FOR COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION, JUVENILE JUSTICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS IN NEW MEXICO.

Abstract

IN JANUARY 1976, THE GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO APPOINTED A STANDARDS AND GOALS COMMITTEE WITH OVER 125 MEMBERS SERVING ON SUBCOMMITTEES DEALING WITH THE STATE'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. COMMITTEE MEMBERS INCLUDED CONCERNED CITIZENS, PROFESSIONALS, AND PRACTITIONERS FROM ALL LEVELS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. HEARINGS HELD IN 23 COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THESE GOALS IN THAT THEY GAVE CITIZENS AND LOCAL OFFICIALS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ABOUT THE EXISTING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND PRESENT SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT. STANDARDS PROPOSED IN THE AREA OF COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION ARE BASED ON A BELIEF IN THE IMPORTANCE OF CITIZEN ACTION, DELIVERY OF PUBLIC SERVICES, REDUCTION OF CRIMINAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND GOVERNMENT INTEGRITY IN CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS. THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON JUVENILE JUSTICE EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR PREVENTING JUVENILE CRIME THROUGH COMMUNITY PROGRAMS TO HELP JUVENILES DEAL WITH THEIR PROBLEMS, OFFER THEM ALTERNATIVES TO THE TRADITIONAL EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, AND PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. OTHER JUVENILE JUSTICE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, DIVERSION FROM THE FORMAL JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND A MINIMAL USE OF DETENTION IN FAVOR OF COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS. RECOMMENDED STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT URGE POLICE EXECUTIVES TO CLARIFY THEIR AGENCIES' ROLES AND POLICIES, WHILE ENLISTING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN DETERMINING COMMUNITY NEEDS AND PRIORITIES. THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON COURTS FOCUSED ON STANDARDS TO IMPROVE THE INFORMAL PROCEDURES OF THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, INCLUDING DISCRETIONARY ACTIONS OF THE JUDGE, PROSECUTOR, AND DEFENSE COUNSEL. STANDARDS ARE PROPOSED TO REGULATE THE USE OF PLEA BARGAINING AND DIVERSION DECISIONS. CORRECTIONS STANDARDS DEAL WITH (1) EQUITY AND JUSTICE IN CORRECTIONS; (2) EXCLUSIONS FROM THE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM OF JUVENILES, MINOR OFFENDERS, AND SOCIOMEDICAL CASES; (3) SHIFTING CORRECTIONAL EMPHASIS FROM INSTITUTIONS TO COMMUNITY PROGRAMS; (4) UNIFYING CORRECTIONS AND TOTAL SYSTEM PLANNING; AND (5) DEVELOPING MANPOWER. SOME PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)