NCJ Number
66461
Date Published
1979
Length
27 pages
Annotation
THIS FINAL REPORT OF THE MAJOR VIOLATORS PROJECT CONDUCTED IN CLARK COUNTY, NEV., EVALUATES THE PROGRAM'S SUCCESS IN PROSECUTING CAREER CRIMINALS INVOLVED IN SERIOUS CRIMES.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM WAS FUNDED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1977, TO FEBRUARY 28, 1979, BY LEAA GRANTS. THE PROJECT GOAL WAS TO IDENTIFY CAREER CRIMINALS WITHIN SPECIFIC CRIME CATEGORIES (ROBBERY, RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, AND HOMICIDE OR RAPE RELATED TO ROBBERY OR RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY) AND TO PROSECUTE THEM VIGOROUSLY. THIS, IN TURN, WAS EXPECTED TO RAISE THE CONVICTION RATE OF REPEAT OFFENDERS AND DECREASE THE TIME BETWEEN ARREST AND FINAL DISPOSITION. SUBGOALS INCLUDED ELIMINATION OF PLEA NEGOTIATION, SPEEDIER TRIALS, REDUCTION OF CASES DISMISSED ON TECHNICAL GROUNDS, REDUCTION OF CONTINUANCES, DETERRENCE, AGGRESSIVE PROSECUTION OF PROBATION REVOCATIONS, AND ELIMINATION OF REPEATED CONTINUANCES, DETERRENCE, AGGRESSIVE PROSECUTION OF PROBATION REVOCATIONS, AND ELIMINATION OF REPEATED CONTINUANCES AT REVOCATION PROCEEDINGS. FBI CRIME REPORTS SHOWED THAT THE THE COUNTY'S SERIOUS CRIME RATE WAS ALMOST DOUBLE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND WAS HIGHEST IN THE NATION. DATA FOR THIS EVALUATION WERE COLLECTED FROM RECORDS IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THE SECOND YEAR EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT CONCLUDED THAT, IN COMPARISON WITH A CROSS SECTION OF DEFENDANTS CHARGE WITH SIMILAR OFFENSES, THOSE DEFENDANTS TREATED BY THE MAJOR VIOLATORS UNIT WERE MORE LIKELY TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE MAJOR CHARGE AGAINST THEM AND TO RECEIVE A MUCH HARSHER SANCTION FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 1977, REPORTED OFFENSES DECLINED FROM THE TOTAL OF THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 1976. ROBBERY WITH A FIREARM, THE MAIN TARGET CRIME PROSECUTED IN THE PROGRAM, DROPPED BY 15 PERCENT. WHEN FEDERAL FUNDING CEASED, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE CLARK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DECIDED TO CONTINUE FUNDING. EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 1979, THE UNIT WAS INTEGRATED INTO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. TABLES AND THE COMPLETE SECOND YEAR PROJECT EVALUATION ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)