Conceptual Framework for Allocating Resources in the Prosecutor's Office

• NCJ Number: 92955
• Author(s): E C Ratledge
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 21 pages
• Grant Number(s): 80-IJ-CX-0032
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Jefferson Institute for Justice Studies
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: A Paper presented to the American Society of Public Administration 1980 Meeting, San Francisco CA, April 13-16, 1980

Annotation

Various choices in the disposition of cases are open to a prosecutor who seeks to optimize productivity.

Abstract

This paper explores the choices open to a prosecutor in disposition of cases and how those choices can be made to optimize productivity. In the face of budget cutbacks, the prosecutor needs to determine the costs and effort required for winning a case. One of the problems in creating a productivity model is quantifying quality elements. Because some cases will not be successfully prosecuted, and since others will never plead, there are constraints on the model. The number of hours used in pleading cases cannot exceed the total number of hours available. The model shows that introduction of a no plea policy in a jurisdiction with great court backlog problems will only exacerbate the problem, creating speedy trial and witness problems. Through increased case screening, the prosecutor can increase productivity by eliminating unnecessary efforts. The use of programs such as prosecutor's probation, drug and alcohol diversion, and arbitration can dispose of cases quickly and successfully. Figures illustrating the models are included.