Report of the Survey of US Attorneys and Federal Investigative Agents (From Armed Robbery and Burglary Prevention Act, 1983, P 160-222, See-NCJ-92899)

• NCJ Number: 92901
• Author(s): A M Gelman
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 31 pages
• Grant Number(s): JYFRP-81-C-0126
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: INSLAW
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This summary of the findings of a survey of U.S. attorneys and Federal investigative agencies regarding their views of a possible Federal career criminal program covers a description of the surveys, a discussion of similarities and differences in the responses of the two groups, and a presentation of the implication of the survey findings.

Abstract

The questionnaire used to interview the U.S. attorneys contained open-ended questions dealing with knowledge of local career criminal programs, information availability, suggested aspects of a career criminal program at the Federal level, selection criteria for a career criminal program, and coordination with local prosecutors. The questionnaire used with the Federal investigative agencies examined current investigative practices and policies, interactions with the U.S. attorney, interactions with local prosecutors, and establishing a Federal career criminal program. Both the U.S. attorneys and Federal investigative agents were supportive of the goals of a Federal career criminal program, but they were generally skeptical about the practical implications of implementing such a program. The U.S. attorneys believed that the objective of the concept could best be achieved by having the judges impose longer sentences on repeat offenders. The Federal investigative agencies also emphasized the need for more severe sentences but also saw a need for more effective prosecution of the cases involving chronic offenders as a way of achieving program objectives. Neither group viewed the potential program as resulting in or mandating fundamental changes in the workings of their offices. Many respondents expressed strong support for education of attorneys, judges, and investigative agents about current statutes pertaining to the prosecution and enhancement of penalties for repeat offenders. Some pitfalls identified as requiring attention in the implementation of any Federal career criminal program include anticipation of resistance of personnel to any systemwide changes, anticipation of any adjustments in current caseloads, the structuring of discretion of determining which offenders would qualify as career criminals, and the minimizing of additional paperwork.