NCJ Number
81817
Date Published
Unknown
Length
72 pages
Annotation
The management and operations of the district attorney's office for Tulsa, Okla., were studied with respect to the problems inherent when a new district attorney takes office.
Abstract
The study sought to develop a strong, working management plan for the office. The appointment of the new district attorney in July 1981 coincided with the departure of about nine of the most experienced attorneys in the office. This district attorney currently oversees a staff of about 40, of whom about 20 are assistant district attorneys, who serve at the pleasure of the prosecutor. The office handled about 4,600 felony cases in 1980. The study focused on the organization of the professional staff, the management and administration of clerical staff, and clerical staff functions. The office had just lost close to 100 years of prosecutorial experience, but this loss gives the district attorney the chance to implement a strong management plan, which is a high priority when an office is staffed with many assistants. It is also recommended that criminal attorneys be reorganized into three or four trial teams, with the most experienced attorneys as the leaders. Each trial team should be assigned to a district court judge. Team leaders should meet with their teams to review cases and provide instructions for disposing of the team's caseload. If a fourth trial team is established, it should handle career criminals or major offenders and should have a small caseload. Other recommendations are the acquisition of a full-time office manager, development of a strict file control policy, and the development of an archives system. Additional recommendations and appendixes presenting sample forms and related materials are provided.