NCJ Number
36075
Date Published
1976
Length
60 pages
Annotation
EVALUATION OF THE SULLIVAN COUNTY (NY) PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE MEASURING PERFORMANCE AGAINST SPECIFIC GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND STANDARDS OUTLINED IN THE NATIONAL LEGAL AID AND DEFENDER ASSOCIATION'S (NLADA) EVALUATION DESIGN.
Abstract
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES OF AVAILABILITY, ELIGIBILITY, SCOPE, AND DURATION WERE EXAMINED AS A MEANS OF DETERMINING PROJECT ABILITY TO FACILITATE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF LEGAL AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. THE QUALITY OF SERVICES DELIVERED WERE EVALUATED THROUGH STUDY OF COMPETENCY, ZEAL, LACK OF DISCRIMINATION, AND FREEDOM FROM POLITICAL INFLUENCE OR JUDICIAL CONTROL. PROJECT EFFORTS TO ASSIST IN THE EXPOSITION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE ADVERSARY PROCESS BY PROVIDING COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND IMPROVING COMPONENTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WERE ALSO ASSESSED. EMPIRICAL DATA WAS GATHERED DURING A THREE DAY ON-SITE VISIT BY THE EVALUATION TEAM AS WELL AS A ONE DAY PRE-EVALUATION VISIT BY THE TEAM CAPTAIN AND STAFF FOR OBSERVATION OF OFFICE FUNCTIONS AND INTERVIEWS WITH STAFF AND COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF CASES GOING TO TRIAL, INCREASING THE BUDGET, AND ISSUING WRITTEN DIRECTIVES SETTING OFFICE POLICIES. FOR THE EVALUATION DESIGN USED, SEE NCJ-36019. FOR A PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE SELF-EVALUATION MANUAL AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF BOTH, SEE NCJ-36018 AND 36073.