NCJ Number
77700
Date Published
1981
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The achievements and shortcomings of the Career Criminal Prosecution Unit (CCPU), begun in Montgomery County, Md., to target and prosecute serious repeat offenders in the county, are summarized for the 2-year period (1978-80) of an LEAA grant.
Abstract
The goals of the CCPU for the 2-year period included providing early legal assistance to the police in cases involving career criminals and easy identification of those cases justifying intensive prosecutorial effort, representing the people's interest at all bond bail hearings involving career criminals, reducing the time lapses between arrest and indictment and between arraignment and trial, and overcoming legal problems which delay court action in targeted cases. The CCPU also aimed to improve witness management services, apply vertical prosecution to all targeted cases, reject plea bargaining in targeted cases, and improve State-county communications to involve the State in decisions affecting parole for identified cases. During the 2-year grant period, the CCPU successfully prosecuted over 80 percent of its defendants. Selection criteria for CCPU attention were streamlined, and a paging system was employed to assist communication between police and prosecutors to identify habitual offenders at early stages. However, time lapses increased in many cases often because they were strategically necessary to successful prosecution. Plea bargaining to reduced charges occurred in less than 10 percent of CCPU cases, and victim-witness problems were greatly reduced. Overall, the CCPU felt that in achieving many of its goals, it had enhanced the security and freedom of Montgomery County citizens. Two tables are given.