NCJ Number
41035
Date Published
1975
Length
36 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON A STUDY CONDUCTED TO REVIEW THE PRESENT SYSTEM BY WHICH LOS ANGELES POLICEMEN APPEAR AS WITNESSES IN MISDEMEANOR TRIALS AND RECOMMEND CHANGES FOR INEFFICIENT OR INEQUITABLE PROCEDURES.
Abstract
THE STUDY WAS BASED ON OVER 35 PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH POLICE OFFICERS, SUBPOENA CONTROL OFFICERS AND CAPTAINS, ADMINISTRATORS AND TRIAL DEPUTIES REPRESENTING THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND JUDGES FROM THE MISDEMEANOR TRIAL PANEL IN THE CRIMINAL COURTS BUILDING AND BRANCH COURTS. SEVERAL PROBLEMS RELATING TO FORMAL ON CALL AND INFORMAL ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND CITY ATTORNEYS WERE IDENTIFIED. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE ESTABLISHING A COMMITTEE ON POLICE WITNESSES; ADOPTION OF GUIDELINES FOR POLICE WITNESSES AND WHAT THOSE GUIDELINES SHOULD CONTAIN; AND IMPROVEMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN TRIAL JUDGES AND TRIAL DEPUTIES. A QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGNED FOR USE IN A SURVEY PLANNED FOR LATE 1975 IS APPENDED....EB LOS ANGELES