CRIMINAL COURT AS ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (FROM CRIMINAL JUSTICE - LAW AND POLITICS, 1972, BY G F COLE - SEE NCJ-25794)

• NCJ Number: 25808
• Author(s): A S BLUMBERG
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 19 pages
• Corporate Author: Wadsworth Publishing Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A CASE STUDY AN ANALYSIS OF THE JUDICIAL PROSECUTORIAL, AND DEFENSE PROCESSES OF A METROPOLITAN COURT SYSTEM, AND THE SCREENING PROCESS THAT GOVERNS THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF CASES BROUGHT TO TRIAL.

Abstract

AFTER DESCRIBING THE WORKINGS OF THE METROPOLITAN COURT STUDIED IN THIS PAPER, THE AUTHOR EXAMINES SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE COURT. THE DRIVE TOWARD PROSECUTORIAL PRODUCTION IN TERMS OF GUILTY PLEAS AND THE COOPERATIVE STRUCTURE OF THE COURT, PROSECUTION, AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS IN EXPEDITING THESE GUILTY PLEAS ARE REVIEWED. THE STATISTICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF CRIMES COMMITTED OR REPORTED AND THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ACTUALLY DEALT WITH OFFICIALLY BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM IS DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO THE VARIOUS SCREENING PROCESSES THAT TAKE PLACE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS. AMONG THESE SCREENING STAGES ARE THOSE OF POLICE DISCRETION NOT TO ARREST, PRESECUTORIAL DISMISSAL OF CHARGES, OR A REDUCTION OF CHARGES. THE TYPICAL PROGRESS OF AN ACCUSED PERSON THROUGH THE SCREENING PROCESS IS THEN DESCRIBED.