NCJ Number
52941
Date Published
1978
Length
156 pages
Annotation
PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM STANDARDS AND GOALS ARE SUGGESTED AS MEASUREMENTS FOR LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENTS WANTING TO ASSESS THE EQUALITY, EFFECTIVENSS, AND DUE PROCESS GUARANTEES OF DIVERSION OPERATIONS.
Abstract
THE SUGGESTED GOALS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE TRADITIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WITH GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION CAPABILITIES, PROVIDE ELIGIBLE DEFENDANTS WITH DISPOSITIONAL ALTERNATIVES, ADVANCE THE LEGITIMATE SOCIETAL NEED TO DETER AND REDUCE CRIME, AND ACHIEVE THE GOALS IN THE MOST EFFICIENT, ECONOMICAL AND NONDUPLICATIVE MANNER POSSIBLE. THE PRACTICAL STANDARDS SHOULD LEAD TO A REEXAMINATION OF BASIC CONSIDERATIONS SUCH AS POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS OF DEFENDANTS' RIGHTS, WIDENING THE NET OF SOCIAL CONTROLS, ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DECISIONS, COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF PROGRAMS, AND OBJECTIVES ACHIEVEMENT. THE GOALS AND STANDARDS PERTAIN TO THESE ASPECTS OF PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAMS: ELIGIBILITY AND ENROLLMENT OF DEFENDANTS, DIVERSION SERVICES, PROGRAM DISMISSAL AND NONCOMPLETION, CONFIDENTIALITY BETWEEN PERSONNEL AND CLIENTS, DIVERSION RESEARCH, AND THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAMS. THE TEXT OPENS WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND, USE, AND DEFINITION OF PRETRIAL DIVERSION AS WELL AS A REVIEW OF CRITICISM OF EXISTING PROGRAMS. EACH STANDARD AND GOAL LISTED IS ACCOMPANIED BY A BRIEF COMMENTARY ON IMPLEMENTATION. (DAG)