NCJ Number
87337
Date Published
1982
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This community service intake procedures manual of the Quincy District Court (Massachusetts) describes 18 steps in the intake process and provides sample forms used in community service along with instructions for completing them.
Abstract
The intake procedures describes are conditioned upon a final court disposition where the judge orders community work service as part of the condition of a continuance without a finding, probation, suspended sentence, or split sentence. The intake procedures explain in detail each step to be taken in processing and the forms to be completed at each stage. One step explains that if offenders commit themselves to working community service, this obligation must be fulfilled to completion or until such time as the balance is paid on court costs, fines, on other required fees. Further, the procedures explain that if the judge has checked one of the three categories of community service without specifying the number of hours to be completed, then the Community Service Office must determine the exact number of hours by using the community work service matrix. This requires additional information about whether the juvenile is working, is in school, has any extracurricular activities, or has a prior record. The purpose of the matrix is to ensure equitable dispositions, penalize the defendant with too much leisure time, and reward the person involved in constructive activities. The Community Service Office contacts the agency selected for the work placement and sets up an interview with the offender and the agency's contact person. Placements may also be with work crews as well as with agencies. The forms provided include the restitution/community work service order, the community work service matrix, client evaluation, terms of agreement, supervision sheet, work service day sheet, and letter of introduction.