NCJ Number
59440
Date Published
1979
Length
72 pages
Annotation
ISSUES FACING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN PIMA COUNTY, ARIZ., ARE EXPLORED, AND INFORMATION ON THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR 1977 AND 1978 IS REPORTED.
Abstract
PROVISIONS IN THE ARIZONA CRIMINAL CODE CALLING FOR MANDATORY SENTENCES FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS RESULT IN INCREASED WORKLOADS FOR COURTS IN PIMA COUNTY. TO HANDLE THIS WORKLOAD, COURTS HAVE STREAMLINED THEIR OPERATIONS BY ADOPTING SUCH CONCEPTS AS PRETRIAL RELEASE SCREENING, THE CONSOLIDATION OF JUSTICE COURT STAFF, SPECIAL JUDGES TO ASSIGN CASES, AND CRIMINAL BENCH ASSIGNMENTS TO INCREASE JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY. DATA ON CRIME RATES INDICATE THAT POLICE ARE CURRENTLY MAINTAINING EXTENSIVE PATROL EFFORTS TO PREVENT CRIME, ALTHOUGH THESE EFFORTS CANNOT SOLVE MOST CRIMES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMMITTED. THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN PIMA COUNTY INCLUDES A CRIMINAL DIVISION (ADULT DIVERSION PROGRAM, VICTIM-WITNESS PROGRAM, ECONOMIC CRIME UNIT, AND NARCOTICS STRIKE FORCE), A LEGAL ADMINISTRATION DIVISION (JUSTICE COURT, JUVENILE COURT, ADULT DIVERSION PROGRAM, AND VICTIM-WITNESS PROGRAM), AND A CIVIL DIVISION (COUNTY COUNSEL UNIT, FAMILY SUPPORT UNIT, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AND ECONOMIC CRIME UNITS). THE ORGANIZATION OF DIVISIONS WITHIN THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS DETAILED, AS WELL AS COST AND BUDGETING ASPECTS OF THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES. SUPPORTING TABLES AND FIGURES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON STAFFING PATTERNS IN THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND DATA ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF COUNTY FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEARS 1974 TO 1979. (DEP)