NCJ Number
59115
Date Published
1978
Length
51 pages
Annotation
ACTIVITIES OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OF BALTIMORE CITY, MARYLAND, FROM 1975 TO 1978 ARE REPORTED; MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE HIGHLIGHTED.
Abstract
THE STATE'S ATTORNEY OF BALTIMORE CITY IS A LOCALLY ELECTED OFFICIAL WHOSE OFFICE IS SUPPORTED BY TAX DOLLARS. UNDER THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION, PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN PROVIDED IN ATTACKING PROBLEMS WHICH CONFRONT THE COURTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. FIRST, IN SPITE OF UNPARALLED VOLUME IN THE CRIMINAL COURT, THE BACKLOG HAS NOT INCREASED AND CASES ARE BEING TRIED IN AN EXPEDITIOUS FASHION. THE BACKLOG OF FELONY DEFENDANTS HAS DECREASED MORE THAN 15 PERCENT. SECOND, THE JUVENILE COURT BACKLOG, WHICH WAS SO LARGE IN 1974 AND 1975 THAT NO ONE WAS ABLE TO ACCURATELY COUNT IT, HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 800 PETITIONS AWAITING A COURT HEARING. THE BEST ESTIMATE OF THE BACKLOG BEFORE THE NEW ADMINISTRATION WAS ROUGHLY 6,000 PETITIONS. THIRD, POSTPONEMENT RATES HAVE BEEN REDUCED SUBSTANTIALLY, AND IN SOME COURTS ARE DOWN MORE THAN 50 PERCENT. FINALLY, CONVICTION RATES IN ALL COURTS HAVE RISEN. IN ADDITION, THE CHILD ABUSE REPORTING HOTLINE AND CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM HAVE PROVEN MOST SUCCESSFUL DURING RECENT MONTHS. TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LWM)