NCJ Number
45506
Date Published
Unknown
Length
30 pages
Annotation
A PROJECT UNDERTAKEN TO UPGRADE PROSECUTION OF CAREER CRIMINALS INVOLVED IN ROBBERIES, BURGLARIES, AND ROBBERY/BURGLARY-RELATED HOMICIDES AND RAPES IN CLARK COUNTY (LAS VEGAS), NEV., IS DESCRIBED AND EVALUATED.
Abstract
THE PROJECT, WHICH WAS IMPLEMENTED BY THE CLARK COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, HAD THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: TO ELIMINATE PLEA NEGOTIATION IN TARGET CASES; TO REDUCE PRETRIAL AND TRIAL DELAY, DISMISSALS ON GROUNDS OTHER THAN THE MERITS OF THE CASE, AND CONTINUANCES IN CASES INVOLVING MAJOR VIOLATORS; TO DETER THOSE WHO WOULD EMULATE THE LIFESTYLES OF CAREER CRIMINALS; TO REDUCE SLACK IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BY AGGRESSIVELY PROSECUTING PROBATION REVOCATIONS; AND TO ASSIST LOCAL PAROLE AND PROBATION AUTHORITIES BY ELIMINATING REPEATED CONTINUANCES AT REVOCATION PROCEEDINGS. THE PROJECT WAS CARRIED OUT BY A MAJOR VIOLATORS UNIT, STAFFED BY THREE ATTORNEYS, AN INVESTIGATOR, A PROGRAM ANALYST, A LEGAL SECRETARY, AND A CLERK. DURING THE PROJECT'S FIRST YEAR, THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN THE TIME FROM ARREST TO FINAL DISPOSITION FOR TARGET CASES, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE SEVERITY OF SENTENCES HANDED OFFENDERS, AND CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS IN GAINING GUILTY PLEAS AND JURY CONVICTIONS WITHOUT CHARGE REDUCTION. GAPS IN EVALUATION DATA ARE POINTED OUT, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PROJECT'S SECOND YEAR ARE OFFERED. THE INSTRUMENT USED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A DEFENDANT QUALIFIES AS A CAREER CRIMINAL TO BE PROSECUTED BY THE MAJOR VIOLATORS UNIT IS APPENDED. (LKM)