NCJ Number
29600
Date Published
1972
Length
0 pages
Annotation
FILM WHICH EXPLAINS HOW THE PROSECUTOR'S MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN USED IN THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SUPERIOR COURT.
Abstract
EXCERPTS FROM PRESIDENT FORD'S MESSAGE ON CAREER CRIMINALS AND MAJOR VIOLATORS ARE COMBINED WITH EXPLANATIONS BY PROSECUTORS OF THE WORKINGS OF THIS LEAA EXEMPLARY PROJECT. THIS COMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY RATES EACH CASE ACCORDING TO STANDARDIZED CRITERIA ABOUT THE GRAVITY OF THE CRIME (THE SELLIN-WOLF-GANG INDEX) AND THE PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD OF THE ACCUSED (REVISED GOTTFREDSON BASED - EXPECTANCY INDEX) TO INDICATE DIFFERENCES IN THE IMPORTANCE OF CASES AND TO ASSURE SIMILAR TREATMENT FOR SIMILAR CASES. OTHER GOALS OF PROMIS INCLUDE GIVING SPECIAL, INTENSIVE PRE-TRIAL PREPARATION TO THE MORE SERIOUS CASES, IMMEDIATELY NOTIFYING PROSECUTORS OF OTHER CRIMINAL CASES PENDING AGAINST A DEFENDANT, DEVELOPING STATISTICAL REPORTS, AND AGGREGATING EMPIRICAL DATA ABOUT THE COURT PROCESS, CRIME TRENDS, AND SOCIAL-LEGAL PROBLEMS. CONSEQUENCES OF THE APPLICATION AND UTILIZATION OF THIS SYSTEM IN WASHINGTON, D.C. INCLUDE A 25 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE CONVICTION RATES FOR CASES INVOLVING SERIOUS MATTERS, A 50 PERCENT DROP IN THE TIME LAG BEFORE INDICTMENT, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE CHARGING MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REGARDING THE PROSECUTOR'S FILING OF CRIMINAL CHARGES. FUTURE AREAS OF PROMIS RESEARCH IDENTIFIED IN THIS FILM INCLUDE SPEEDY TRIAL, PATTERNS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, PROSECUTION PERFORMANCE, PLEA NEGOTATIONS, AND JUDCIAL PRE-TRIAL DECISION-MAKING.