NCJ Number
77733
Date Published
1981
Length
65 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings and recommendations regarding operations of the county attorney offices for Pinal County, Ariz., as developed by the Criminal Prosecution Technical Assistance Project's team.
Abstract
In February 1981, the team examined the county attorney's management and operations in accordance with the terms of a contract with LEAA. The purpose of the visit was to analyze problems related to resource allocation as it applies to the workload of the assistant county attorneys. Management analysis focused on the intake function and case processing. Use of county resources by defense sercies for the indigent was examined, as was the child support enforcement component of the office. The county attorney oversees a staff of 17 individuals, of which 8 are attorneys. In addition to criminal responsibilities, the county attorney also handles civil matters in the county. The team recommends the collection of data to create a statistical base from which to assess needs and allocate resources. The office should acquire dictation and transcription equipment, obtain one additional attorney to handle civil matters, create a civil division and a criminal division, and establish a pure trial docket by means of an enforced plea cut off date. In addition, the office should make diversion decisions at the intake stage without involvement of the grand jury. Child support enforcement matters should be assigned a higher priority in the office, and memory typewriters should be acquired for the unit. Finally, a career development plan emphasizing an improved salary classification system should be established. Appendixes are included in the report. Resumes, sample forms, the career development plan, and other material are appended.