PRE-TRIAL RELEASE PROCESS WHEN THE VICTIM AND DEFENDANT LIVE TOGETHER

• NCJ Number: 41732
• Author(s): D A LOWENBERG; J C STILLWELL; H P CUNNINGHAM; G W CORNEVEAUX
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PANEL PRESENTATION BY JACK STILLWELL AND HORACE CUNNINGHAM

Annotation

THIS PAPER PRESENTS A SUMMARY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE CASES AND PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE DILEMMA PRESENTED BY THE NEED FOR A RELEASE ON RECOGNIZANCE (ROR) PROGRAM TO VERIFY INFORMATION IN CASES OF INTRA-FAMILY CRIME.

Abstract

WHEN THE PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA VICTIM WITNESS ADVOCATE PROGRAM BEGAN OPERATION IN 1976, IT WAS APPROACHED BY THE PRE-TRIAL RELEASE PROGRAM WITH A DILEMMA. THE PROBLEM CENTERED AROUND THE NEED OF THE ROR PROJECT TO VERIFY COMMUNITY AND FAMILY TIES SO THAT THE COURT COULD MAKE A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL RELEASE DECISION AND THE FACT THAT IN CERTAIN OFFENSES THE PERSON FROM WHOM THIS INFORMATION WAS COLLECTED WAS THE COMPLAINANT/VICTIM. A WORKING AGREEMENT, WHICH ASKED THE VICTIM WITNESS ADVOCATE PROGRAM TO COLLECT MUCH OF THIS INFORMATION FOR THE ROR PROJECT IN EXCHANGE FOR INPUT INTO THE RELEASE DECISION, WAS ENTERED INTO IN EARLY 1976. THE IMPACT OF THE INFORMATION OBTAINED ON THE COMPLAINANT, THE ACCUSED, AND THE COURT'S DECISION ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS PRELIMINARY DESCRIPTIVE REPORT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...MSP