NCJ Number
44289
Date Published
1977
Length
33 pages
Annotation
THE ACTIVITIES OF A PROJECT UNDERTAKEN TO IMPLEMENT STANDARDS FOR PROSECUTORIAL SERVICES DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION (NDAA) ARE DESCRIBED AND EVALUATED.
Abstract
THE IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT INVOLVED OBTAINING EXPERT OPINIONS ON THE DRAFT NDAA STANDARDS, PRINTING THE STANDARDS, AND DISSEMINATING COPIES TO PROSECUTORS' OFFICES, LAW SCHOOLS, AND OTHER AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS. IN THREE STATES (OREGON, ARIZONA, AND MISSISSIPPI) EXISTING COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARDS WAS ASSESSED. ON THE BASIS OF THE ASSESSMENT, TEN STANDARDS WERE CHOSEN FOR IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITY; EITHER FOR LEGISLATIVE BILLS, COURT RULE, CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, OR COOPERATIVE PROSECUTORIAL ACTION. BILLS, COURT RULES, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS WERE DRAFTED AND SUBMITTED TO THE APPROPRIATE ENACTING BODIES IN THE STATES AND DISSEMINATED AS MODEL LEGISLATION. REVIEW OF THE MODEL LEGISLATION WAS PROMOTED AS A WORKSHOP TOPIC FOR STATE PROSECUTOR ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. PLANNING AND POLICY PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE STANDARDS WERE DEVELOPED AND TESTED IN THREE PROSECUTORS' OFFICES, AND THE DECISION WAS MADE TO IMPLEMENT THE STANDARDS NATIONWIDE. IT IS NOTED THAT THE STANDARDS HAVE UPGRADED THE PROSECUTION FUNCTION IN THE OFFICES AND STATES WHERE THEY WERE IMPLEMENTED. AN OUTSIDE EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT IS ATTACHED TO THE REPORT. THE EVALUATION CONTAINS DETAILS OF THE PROJECT'S EFFORTS IN THE MODEL STATES. THE EVALUATION CONCLUDES THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND SHOULD BE CONTINUED ON A LONG-TERM BASIS. NDAA IS URGED TO FOCUS ITS ATTENTION ON EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.