NCJ Number
77367
Date Published
1981
Length
86 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings and recommendations of the technical assistance team from the Criminal Prosecution Technical Assistance Project, focusing on the offices of the county attorney for Gila County, Ariz.
Abstract
During February 1981, the team examined the county attorney's management and operations functions in accordance with the terms of a contract with LEAA. The purpose of the visit was to analyze problems related to the part-time status of the attorneys in the office. In addition, the management analysis focused on the intake function and case processing. The use of diversion was examined, as was the child support enforcement component of the office. The visit was designed to address a wide range of problems stemming from paperwork and organizational procedures, financial management and budgeting systems, space and equipment requirements, specialized operational programs, and projects and procedures unique to the delivery of prosecutorial services. The team recommends the development of a plan to encourage full-time professionalism within the office, with the objective that at the end of 3 years all attorneys will serve on a full-time basis, with the private practice of law prohibited. The office should present a detailed list of the problems created by part-time prosecution to the County Board of Supervisors and make clear to them that a 10-percent increase in the budget will be necessary to implement the plan to put the office on full-time status. All future attorneys should be hired with the condition that they will not engage in the private practice of law. In addition, the office should formalize the intake process, with one assistant assigned to the intake function each day. That assistant should be responsible for those cases accepted for prosecution throughout the process to disposition. An intake log should be maintained in the office to record the names of police officers, the name of the case brought, and the name of the assistant seen. The adoption forms currently in use should be updated to reflect recent amendments to applicable statutes. Sample forms, resumes, information on analyzing and presenting statistical data, and other material are appended. (Author abstract modified)