NCJ Number
57662
Date Published
1978
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THE COLUMBUS NIGHT PROSECUTOR'S PROGRAM OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO, A DIVERSIONARY PROGRAM DESIGNED TO RAPIDLY AND FAIRLY DISPENSE JUSTICE TO DEFENDANTS ACCUSED OF MINOR CRIMES, IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
ADDITIONALLY, THE PROGRAM AIMS TO EASE COMMUNITY AND INTERPERSONAL TENSIONS BY HELPING THE PARTIES INVOLVED FIND EQUITABLE SOLUTIONS TO THEIR PROBLEMS WITHOUT RESORTING TO A CRIMINAL REMEDY, PROVIDE A PUBLIC AGENCY FORUM FOR THE WORKING POPULATION DURING HOURS WHICH WOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH THEIR EMPLOYMENT, AND REMOVE THE STIGMA OF A CRIMINAL ARREST RECORD ARISING FROM MINOR PERSONAL DISPUTES. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THE INTAKE DIVISION, USUALLY STAFFED BY LAW STUDENTS AND IN CHARGE OF THE INITIAL SCREENING OF ALL CIVILIAN COMPLAINTS, AND THE PROGRAM DIVISION. COUNSELORS IN INTAKE ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND THE MOST APPROPRIATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN. INTAKE STATISTICS ARE THEN RECORDED FROM THE INTAKE CARDS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. IF NECESSARY, REFERRALS ARE MADE TO COMMUNITY AGENCIES. THE PROGRAM DIVISION HAS FOUR COMPONENTS: (1) THE COLUMBUS HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHICH ONCE A WEEK SCHEDULES HEARINGS WITH A HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE; (2) THE BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES WHICH SCHEDULES HEARINGS INVOLVING DRIVERS WHO HAVE ACCUMULATED 12 OR MORE POINTS OR WHO HAVE AN UNSATISIFIED JUDGEMENT ARISING FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT; (3) COUNSELING, THE HUMAN RELATIONS PROGRAM TO MEET THE CRITICAL REQUIREMENT OF PERSONALIZATION OF HUMAN NEEDS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM; AND (4) THE BAD CHECK PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPLAINANTS TO NOTIFY RESPONDENTS THAT THEY INTEND TO PURSUE THE COMPLAINT THROUGH FORMAL CHANNELS. THE PROGRAM IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IN THE COUNTRY AND CONTINUES TO LOOK FOR INNOVATIVE WAYS TO BECOME MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE PUBLIC NEEDS. TABLES ARE INCLUDED.