PROMIS (PROSECUTOR'S MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM), NO 4 - SPECIAL LITIGATION (MAJOR VIOLATORS) UNIT, REVISED, AUGUST 1976

• NCJ Number: 44753
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 6 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-016-76
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; INSLAW
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PROMIS BRIEFING SERIES

Annotation

THE WASHINGTON, D.C., PROSECUTOR'S USE OF THE PROMIS 5-DAY MISDEMEANOR PRIORITY CALENDAR TO ALLOCATE SPECIAL PROSECUTIVE ATTENTION TO THE MOST SERIOUS CASES IS DESCRIBED; PROMIS IS A LEAA EXEMPLARY PROJECT.

Abstract

THE WASHINGTON OFFICE HAD FOUND THAT IT WAS 'LOSING CONTROL OF THE SYSTEM,' PARTICULARLY IN THE MISDEMEANOR AREA, IN WHICH UP TO 9,000 CASES WERE BEING CONSIDERED FOR PROSECUTION EACH YEAR. TOO OFTEN, DUE TO ADMINISTRATIVE INEFFICIENCIES, IMPORTANT CASES SIMPLY FELL BETWEEN THE CRACKS OF THE SYSTEM. TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, THE OFFICE IMPLEMENTED THE PROMIS SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES AMONG OTHER REPORTS A PRIORITY-RANKED LISTING OF ALL MISDEMEANOR CASES SCHEDULED BY THE COURT FOR A GIVEN PERIOD OF TIME. THE CASE RANKINGS REFLECT THE SEVERITY OF THE CRIME AND THE BACKGROUND OF THE ACCUSED. THE CHIEF OF THE SPECIAL LITIGATION UNIT REVIEWS THE CALENDAR AND ASSIGNS THE MEMBERS OF THE SPECIAL LITIGATION TEAM TO THE MOST IMPORTANT CASES. THESE PROSECUTORS REVIEW EVERY ASPECT OF EACH CASE AND PRESENT A DETAILED CASE WORKUP TO THE ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR HANDLING THE CASE IN COURT. THE CONVICTION RATE FOR CASES RECEIVING THIS SPECIAL PREPARATION HAS BEEN 25 PERCENT HIGHER THAN THAT FOR OTHER CASES. FOR OTHER ISSUES IN THIS SERIES, SEE NCJ 44750-44752 AND 44754-44770.