NCJ Number
34415
Date Published
1976
Length
84 pages
Annotation
FINAL REPORT ON A PROJECT TO COLLECT AND ANALYZE DATA RELATING TO CRIMINAL CASE PROCESSING - WITH EMPHASIS ON TIME LAPSES AT VARIOUS STAGES - AND TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE EXISTING SYSTEM.
Abstract
IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE PROJECT GOALS, A RESEARCH STAFF EXAMINED COURT DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS AND INTERVIEWED VARIOUS PARTICIPANTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. COMPUTER ANALYSES OF DATA THUS GENERATED INDICATED THOSE STAGES WHICH CONSUMED THE MOST TIME. THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY REVEALED THAT THERE IS A LACK OF EFFECTIVE CASEFLOW MANAGEMENT IN CHESTER COUNTY, RESULTING IN UNCERTAINTY AND DELAY WHICH WAS INTERPRETTED TO BENEFIT THE PROSEUCTION. A NUMBER OF REFORMS ARE RECOMMENDED, BY WHICH THE COURT WOULD ASSUME DIRECT AND EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER CASEFLOW IN THREE STAGES, BETWEEN FEBRARY AND JULY, 1976. AMONG THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PROPOSALS FOR THE CREATION OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY AND PROCEDURE COMMITTEE AND THE INSTITUTION OF CONTINUOUS AND CONCURRENT CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CALENDERS.