NCJ Number
133509
Journal
Journal of Quantitative Criminology Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: (1991) Pages: 291-314
Date Published
1991
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Queue theory is applied to case processing by developing and analyzing an initial simulation model of how felony courts process cases to the point where they are resolved through plea bargaining or dismissal or are assigned a trial date.
Abstract
Data was collected for a study of pretrial felony case processing in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan and Queens counties. A sample of 104 cases of interpersonal, violent crimes from arraignment to disposition by plea or dismissal or to the setting of a trial date were followed. The major findings are that (1) improving the entry rate alone has no impact; (2) expanding the capacity alone has a noticeable result; (3) increasing only the exit rate has a powerful effect; and (4) improving the exit rate and capacity jointly has the greatest impact. The simulations suggest that the court administrator should focus on getting cases through the final phase as quickly as possible. If the number of judges can be increased, they should handle only cases nearing trial assignment. 7 tables, 24 footnotes, appendix, and 23 references (Author abstract modified)