NCJ Number
31244
Date Published
Unknown
Length
31 pages
Annotation
AN ASSESSMENT OF THIS PROJECT WHICH ATTEMPTED TO EASE THE HIGH TURNOVER RATE AND INCREASING FELONY CASE BACKLOGS BY IMPLEMENTING INCREASED SALARY SCHEDULES AND PROVIDING ONLY FULL-TIME PROSECUTORIAL POSITIONS.
Abstract
PRIOR TO JANUARY, 1972, ASSISTANT PROSECUTORS IN THE POLK COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DEVOTED PART TIME TO PRIVATE PRACTICE, DETRACTING FROM THEIR PUBLIC DUTIES. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EXPERIENCED A HIGH TURNOVER RATE, FOUND IF DIFFICULT TO RECRUIT NEW PROSECUTORS, AND EXPERIENCED INCREASING CASE BACKLOGS. THIS PROJECT, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING INCREASED SALARIES, ESTABLISHED ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR AS FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AND PROHIBITED ANY FORM OF PRIVATE PRACTICE FOR THESE EMPLOYEES. GOALS OF THE PROJECT WERE TO ALLOW THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S STAFF TO FUNCTION ON A FULL-TIME BASIS; TO REDUCE TO A REASONABLE LEVEL THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF TURNOVER; AND TO ELIMINATE CASE BACKLOGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THESE STAFFING PROBLEMS. THE EVALUATION ACTIVITIES INCLUDED ON-SITE REVIEWS OF THE OFFICE OPERATIONS, INTERVIEWS WITH COUNTY ATTORNEY STAFF AND JUDGES, IDENTIFICATION OF TURNOVER RATES, AND A REVIEW OF CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL EFFORT BETWEEN PART-TIME AND FULL-TIME STAFFING. THE EVALUATION SHOWED THAT THE STATED OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED, AND IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT SUFFICIENT FUNDS BE BUDGETED FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THIS PROJECT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)