PROMIS (PROSECUTOR'S MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM), NO 8 - REASONS FOR DISCRETIONARY AND OTHER ACTIONS, REVISED, AUGUST 1976

• NCJ Number: 44757
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 9 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

APPLICATIONS OF PROMIS-GENERATED DATA ON THE REASONS BEHIND CONTINUANCES, COURT DISMISSALS, PROSECUTORIAL DISMISSALS, DISPOSITIONS, AND OTHER CASE ACTIONS ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

AS IMPLEMENTED IN THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., THE LEAA EXEMPLARY PROJECT PROMIS GENERATES AN EXTENSIVE ARRAY OF REASON DATA PERTAINING TO CASE ACTIONS. THESE DATA ARE ACQUIRED AS A BYPRODUCT OF THE COLLECTION OF OTHER INFORMATION FOR PROMIS. ANY OF 58 REASONS FOR REJECTING A CHARGE OR A CASE MAY BE CITED. THESE REASONS MAY RELATE TO EVIDENCE, WITNESSES, PROSECUTIVE MERIT, DUE PROCESS, JURISDICTION, DIVERSION, OR OTHER MATTERS, SIMILAR REASONS MAY BE RECORDED IN EXPLANATION OF COURT DISMISSALS, NOLLE PROSEQUI ACTIONS, AND DISMISSALS BY PROSECUTORS. REASON DATA PERTAINING TO CONTINUANCES INCLUDE SUCH ENTRIES AS 'CONTINUED FOR MENTAL OBSERVATIONS,' 'COUNSEL UNAVAILABLE,' OR 'COURT UNABLE TO REACH CASE.' OTHER REASONS ARE CITED IN EXPLANATION OF FINAL DISPOSITIONS, INCLUDING FINDINGS OF GUILTY AND NOT GUILTY, DISMISSAL BY GRAND JURY, AND MISTRIAL. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROSECUTOR USES THE REASON DATA TO MONITOR, ENFORCE, AND IMPROVE THE EXERCISE OF DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY DELEGATED TO SUBORDINATES; TO ENHANCE THE EVENHANDED APPLICATION OF JUSTICE; AND TO IMPROVE OVERALL OFFICE EFFECTIVENESS. EXAMPLES ARE CITED OF WAYS IN WHICH PROMIS-GENERATED REASON DATA CLARIFIED OTHERWISE MISLEADING FINDINGS PERTAINING TO PROSECUTORIAL PERFORMANCE. FOR OTHER ISSUES IN THIS SERIES, SEE NCJ 44750-44756 AND 44758-44770.