NCJ Number
136039
Date Published
1990
Length
66 pages
Annotation
This is the report of the Russell Committee of the Bar Association of Baltimore City which examined Baltimore's criminal justice system and determined the impact of the increase in drug litigation on the system's functioning and the quality of justice in the city.
Abstract
The committee met in private session with witnesses most familiar with the problems. It also held a 1-day symposium that was attended by public officials, community organizations, bar association representatives, and others in the legal and criminal justice community. The report describes each component of the criminal justice system and presents a statistical narrative on the increase in drug cases. This is followed by a discussion of the funding-related problems and other problems identified by the witnesses. An examination of the current status of local, State, Federal, and private resources precedes the committee's conclusions and recommendations. Overall, the committee concludes that Baltimore's criminal justice system is being overwhelmed by the increase in drug cases, and the failure to fund the needed expansion of the entire system has compromised the quality of justice and corrections rendered by the system. Recommendations are divided into those for which funds will be required, those that recommend funding sources, and those for which substantial additional funding may not be required. Appended tabular and graphic data