NCJ Number
60512
Date Published
1979
Length
12 pages
Annotation
USE OF THE PROSECUTOR'S MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (PROMIS) SUGGESTS THAT COURT PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATORS CAN FORMULATE MORE RATIONAL POLICIES WHEN THEY HAVE A QUANTITATIVE BASIS FOR JUDGMENT.
Abstract
SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1971, PROMIS HAS EVOLVED INTO A FLEXIBLE CASE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY THAT SERVES THE NEEDS OF TRIAL COURTS AND PROSECUTION AGENCIES. THE LATEST VERSION OF THE SYSTEM WILL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT CIVIL AS WELL AS CRIMINAL CASE MANAGEMENT, AND SHOULD PROVE ADAPTABLE TO REGULATORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AGENCIES. SEVERAL PROMIS-BASED RESEARCH PROJECTS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THE INSTITUTE FOR LAW AND SOCIAL RESEARCH (INSLAW), INCLUDING AN EXTENSIVE EXAMINATION OF THE COURTS OF 13 JURISDICTIONS. RESEARCH FINDINGS INDICATE THAT THE MOST COMMON FATE OF AN ARREST FOR A SERIOUS FELONY IS OUTRIGHT DISMISSAL; ROUGHLY 60 PERCENT OF SUCH ARRESTS ARE EITHER REFUSED PROSECUTION OR DISMISSED BEFORE TRIAL. THE HIGH FAILURE RATE OF ARRESTS IS DUE TO THE LACK OF POLICE TRAINING IN EVIDENCE COLLECTION. AS A MEDIUM FOR DISPOSING OF CASES, TRIAL ARE STATISTICALLY INSIGNIFICANT; PLEA BARGAINING IS A FAR MORE COMMON MEDIUM OF DISPOSITION. CROSS-JURISDICTIONAL COMPARISONS OF PROMIS DATA INDICATE SUCH CONTRASTS AS DETROIT'S VERY LOW RATE OF INCARCERATION, AND INDIANAPOLIS' VERY HIGH RATE. CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY STUDIES, FUNDED BY LEAA, HAVE RAISED SERIOUS QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE USE OF BAIL RELEASE AND PROBATION. ONE STUDY INDICATED THAT 17 PERCENT OF THOSE ARRESTED HAD AT LEAST 1 CASE PENDING IN THE SAME COURT. ADDITIONAL TOPICS OF RESEARCH INCLUDE SENTENCING DECISIONS AND THE CONTROL OF COURT DELAYS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)