NCJ Number
86477
Date Published
1980
Length
240 pages
Annotation
This report presents the views of the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission with regard to the legislation needed in 1981 to reduce crime and enhance justice in the future.
Abstract
Legislative proposals are in the areas of helping victims and witnesses, combatting organized crime, the role of the Governor's Crime Commission, improving the criminal justice information system, strengthening the criminal law, improving law enforcement, and improving the courts, corrections, and juvenile justice. Legislation for helping victims and witnesses gives high priority to restitution, and proposed legislation for combatting organized crime includes a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) for the State. Legislation for improving the criminal justice information system focuses on mandatory fingerprinting and reporting of felony arrests and dispositions. Proposed legislation for strengthening the criminal law deals with (1) mandating presentence reports in felony cases, (2) access to juvenile records of adult defendants, (3) crimes committed by a defendant on pretrial release, (4) commission of a crime when in possession of a deadly weapon, and (5) controlling the sale of drug paraphernalia. Legislation for improving law enforcement includes attention to the accreditation of law enforcement agencies. Legislative suggestions for improving the courts includes consideration of requiring the chief district judge to establish an arraignment procedure for misdemeanor cases and limiting appeals to superior court by defendants who plead guilty. Requiring inmates to work, reducing employment barriers, changing responsibility for work release decisions, and training for jail staffs are emphases of proposed legislation designed to improve corrections. Proposed improvements for juvenile justice include limiting the training school population and services for maladjusted juveniles. Recommendations which do not require legislation are offered in the areas of law enforcement, courts, corrections, and juvenile justice, and issues for further study are noted in these same areas.