DEFENSE OF THE POOR IN CRIMINAL CASES IN AMERICAN STATE COURTS - A FIELD STUDY AND REPORT, V 1, NATIONAL REPORT

• NCJ Number: 8984
• Author(s): L SILVERSTEIN
• Date Published: 1965
• Length: 280 pages
• Sale Source: American Bar Foundation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DISCUSSION OF THE KINDS AND EXTENT OF DEFENDER SERVICES BASED ON INTERVIEWS, DOCKET STUDIES AND OTHER DATA FROM 300 SAMPLE COUNTIES (1965).

Abstract

THE FIRST PART OF THE BOOK DESCRIBES, EVALUATES, AND COMPARES THE TWO PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING COUNSEL FOR THE POOR-THE ASSIGNED COUNSEL SYSTEM AND THE DEFENDER SYSTEM. THE SECOND PART OF THE BOOK DEALS WITH THE MORE IMPORTANT PROBLEMS THAT OCCUR UNDER EITHER SYSTEM AND THEIR VARIANTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. THESE PROBLEMS INCLUDE FIXING THE TIME IN THE PROSECUTION WHEN COUNSEL IS FIRST PROVIDED, HOW ELIGIBILITY OF A POOR PERSON IS DETERMINED, AND WHETHER COUNSEL IS PROVIDED FOR MISDEMEANORS. IN THE CONCLUDING CHAPTER THE AUTHOR PRESENTS HIS RECOMMENDED STANDARDS FOR WHAT HE CONSIDERS TO BE A GOOD SYSTEM. THE APPENDICES INCLUDE A LIST OF SAMPLE COUNTIES, A DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH METHODS, COPIES OF THE QUESTIONNAIRES, A SUMMARY OF STATE STATUTES AND PRACTICES, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY. THE STATE REPORTS APPEAR IN TWO COMPANION VOLUMES, NCJ008983 AND 008982. AUTHOR ABSTRACT