NCJ Number
75022
Date Published
1980
Length
40 pages
Annotation
The annual activities of the Pierce County law enforcement agency (Washington) are reported, including comments on the offender diversion program and the victim-witness assistance service.
Abstract
The county criminal division filed 2,273 criminal charges during 1979 and obtained 35 convictions in cases involving violence against women and children. The Civil Division assumed responsibility for defending county employees in court and continued to provide legal support to other county departments. The Business Fraud Division achieved a 90 percent conviction rate and received favorable evaluations from LEAA for the fourth straight year. The unit returned more to the taxpayers in the form of restitutions than its operations cost. The Traffic and Misdemeanors Division handled 4,172 misdemeanor cases and 42,410 traffic cases. Legal interns and a State grant were used to process the high volume. A computer management information system was also installed. Juvenile Division court filings doubled over the previous year. The Family Support Division handled 18,087 cases and significantly increased the number of paternity suits filed in the county. Project El Cid -- a diversionary program which also provides vocational training and employment opportunities and collects restitution -- maintained a 5 percent recidivism rate. The Victim and Witness Assistance Service received a competitive Department of Justice grant and served 8,500 clients. Tabular data are included.