NCJ Number
13035
Journal
Judicature Volume: 57 Issue: 7 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1974) Pages: 289-295
Date Published
1974
Length
7 pages
Annotation
USE OF SUMMARY PROBATION AND INCREASINGLY SEVERE JAIL TERMS FOR REPEATERS TO COMBAT RECIDIVISM AND INCREASE CASE FLOW IN ARRAIGNMENT PROCEEDINGS.
Abstract
THE ARTICLE REVIEWS A PLAN INSTITUTED IN LOS ANGELES TO UTILIZE THE ARRAIGNMENT PROCESS TO DISPOSE OF A GREATER NUMBER OF CASES WITHOUT FURTHER COURT PROCEEDINGS. THE PROCEDURE, INVOLVING LEGITIMIZATION OF PLEA BARGAINING USING 'STANDARD DEALS', ENABLES THE COURT TO PROCESS CASES AT THE RATE OF ONE EVERY THREE MINUTES. A KEY FEATURE OF THE BARGAIN IS THE USE OF SUMMARY PROBATION WITH STANDARD, PREDETERMINED CONDITIONS FOR FIRST OFFENDERS. PROBATIONERS ARE WARNED, HOWEVER, THAT FUTURE APPEARANCES BEFORE THE COURT WILL BE MET WITH INCREASINGLY SEVERE PENALTIES. NOTWITHSTANDING THE CRIES OF 'PEOPLE MILL' JUSTICE FROM THE CRITICS, THERE IS VIRTUALLY TOTAL AGREEMENT THAT THE SYSTEM OPERATES FAIRLY AND EFFICIENTLY AND HAS HAD A DETERRENT EFFECT ON RECIDIVISM.