NCJ Number
143640
Journal
Key to Commonwealth Corrections Issue: 24 Dated: (Summer 1993) Pages: 1-3
Editor(s)
T Garner
Date Published
1993
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This report presents recommendations of particular interest proposed by the British Working Group on Pre-Trial Issues.
Abstract
The working group recommends that the police prepare abbreviated and full files for defendants. This recommendation indicates under what circumstances the full files should include statements from all the witnesses in the case. Regarding case processing times, the working group recommends that for nondetention cases, a national guideline of 4 weeks should be set for the period between a defendant being charged and the initial court appearance; this period would be 5 weeks if a full file is being prepared. A national guideline of 14 days for defendants in custody and 28 days for bail cases is recommended for the period between initial appearance and mode of trial and plea. National guidelines of 14 days for detained defendants and 8 weeks for bail cases should be set between the entry of a not-guilty plea and summary trial. The summary trial should take place within 4 weeks of plea if a full file of evidence is available at the plea hearing and the defense has prepared its case. Recommendations are also offered for the scheduling of other pretrial events. The working group made an effort to set reasonable periods within which proper casework preparation can be performed.