PROSECUTORS AND EARLY DISPOSITION OF FELONY CASES

• NCJ Number: 2265
• Author(s): D M MCINTYRE; D LIPPMAN
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 7 pages
• Grant Number(s): NI-71-067
• Corporate Author: American Bar Foundation
• Sale Source: American Bar Foundation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM VOL. 56, DECEMBER 1970 ISSUE OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION JOURNAL.

Annotation

CRITERIA FOR PROSECUTOR'S POWER TO TERMINATE FELONY CASES AT AN EARLY STAGE ARE SEEN AS NEEDED.

Abstract

MANY VARIATIONS EXIST THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN THE PROSECUTOR'S ROLE FOR DISPOSING OF FELONY CHARGES. THESE VARIATIONS ARE MANY AND DIVERSE, ESPECIALLY AT EARLY STAGES OF THE CRIMINAL PROCESS. KNOWING SOMETHING ABOUT THEM AND WHY THEY EXIST IS NECESSARY BEFORE REFORMS CAN BE UNDERTAKEN. THIS PAPER DEMONSTRATES HOW PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE HAS BEEN SHAPED BY RAPID GROWTH, LACK OF ADEQUATE PLANNING, OBTRUSIVE POLITICAL INFLUENCES, INSUFFICIENT FUNDING, SPECIAL PROBLEMS PRESENTED BY LARGE BLOCS OF IMMIGRANTS AND ETHNIC MINORITIES AND NO CLEAR SENSE OF WHAT THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE OUGHT TO BE IN DEALING WITH DEVIANT BEHAVIOR. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)