NCJ Number
43317
Date Published
1977
Length
21 pages
Annotation
THE MANUAL DISCUSSES THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROJECT'S COURT PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES PRETRIAL INTERVENTION (PTI), PRESENTENCE DIVERSION (PSD), AND SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES (SA).
Abstract
THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO JUVENILES AND ADULTS, BOTH MALES AND FEMALES. THIS PARTICULAR COURT PROGRAM WAS TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF KENNEBEC COUNTY AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURTS, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND THE DEFENSE BAR; IT THUS SERVES ONLY AS AN EXAMPLE OF A PROGRAM THAT IS OPERATIONAL. THE PROGRAM INVOLVES THE COMMUNITY IN THE PLANNING AND OPERATIONAL PROCESSES. MOST CLIENTS IN THE PTI PROGRAM ARE FIRST OFFENDERS CHARGED WITH A NONVIOLENT CRIME WHO ARE GIVEN A CHANCE TO OBTAIN A CLEAN RECORD AFTER SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING A FORMAL PROGRAM. CLIENTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PTI CAN ENTER THE PSD PROGRAM AFTER A FINDING OF GUILT, BUT BEFORE SENTENCING. IF THE CLIENT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES THE PROGRAM, THE FINAL DISPOITION IS A FINDING OF GUILT WITHOUT SENTENCING. CLIENTS ELIGIBLE FOR SA ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY AND ARE AWAITING SENTENCING; AT THE BEHEST OF THE COURT, THE PROJECT OFFERS A RESIDENTIAL OR NONRESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM GEARED TO THE CLIENT'S NEEDS. THIS GIVES THE COURT SENTENCING OPTIONS. THE PROGRAM UTILIZES RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE PROGRAMMATIC DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO HELP THE CLIENT. IT IS ADVISED THAT THE COMMUNITY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DRAW ON PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS TO ASSESS THE CLIENT'S NEEDS IN ORDER TO MOST EFFICIENTLY UTILIZE COMMUNITY RESOURCES.