NCJ Number
67684
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS CASSETTE TAPE DISCUSSES THE ROLE OF ACCOUNTABILITY THAT THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY CAN PERFORM WITH RESPECT TO THE DISPOSITION OF JUVENILE CRIMINAL CASES.
Abstract
THE PROSECUTOR SHOULD GO TO THE DISPOSITIONAL HEARING WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THESE PROGRAMS CAN OR CANNOT DO FOR THE INDIVIDUAL DEFENDANT. ONCE A PROGRAM IS CHOSEN AS THE DISPOSITION, THE PROSECUTOR SHOULD CALL WITNESSES AND PROVE THAT THE PROGRAM IS GOOD OR INAPPROPRIATE. AFTER THE DISPOSITION HAS TAKEN EFFECT, THE PROSECUTOR IS STILL ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND HE SHOULD CHECK TO SEE IF THE ARRANGEMENT IS WORKING. IF IT IS NOT, THEN THE PROSECUTOR MUST SEEK TO CHANGE THE DISPOSITION. THIS ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM MAKES SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY'S NEED FOR SAFETY IS RESPONDED TO QUICKLY, WHILE ENSURING THAT SERIOUS CASES GO TO COURT, JUVENILE CRIME IS REDUCED, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE ENTIRE JUVENILE SYSTEM IS RESTORED. THE PROSECUTOR SHOULD PLACE THE POLICE REPORT INTO A CENTRAL INDEX SYSTEM FOR EASY IDENTIFICATION OF REPEAT OFFENDERS. HE SHOULD ALSO SCREEN CASES FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY. IF A CASE IS FOUND TO BE INSUFFICIENT IT SHOULD GO TO POLICE FOR EVALUATION; FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE NEEDED TO MAKE IT SUFFICIENT. IF THE CASE IS SUFFICIENT, IT GOES TO THE PROBATION OFFICER, WHO SHOULD HAVE FORMED A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE JUVENILE SO THEY CAN WORK OUT A REASONABLE DISPOSITION BEFORE THE TRIAL. IF THE DISPOSITION IS SUBJECT TO COURT JURISDICTION, THERE SHOULD NOT BE A NEW TRIAL, BUT RATHER AN EXTENSION OF THE DISPOSITION HEARING. A MODIFICATION HEARING INVOLVES THE PROSECUTOR RELATING THE POLICE REPORT TO THE JUDGE. THE PROSECUTORIAL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM USED IN KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON HAS BEEN EVALUATED AS BEING SUCCESSFUL IN ACHIEVING ITS OBJECTIVES.