NCJ Number
51775
Date Published
1978
Length
24 pages
Annotation
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PIERCE COUNTY, WASH., PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL DIVISIONS DURING 1977 ARE SUMMARIZED, AND COURT STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
STATISTICS COVER CRIMINAL CHARGES FILED IN SUPERIOR AND DISTRICT COURTS, DISPOSITIONS, REASONS FOR DISMISSALS, CRIMINAL APPEALS, THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FAMILY SUPPORT AND BUSINESS FRAUD/STOLEN PROPERTY UNITS, AND CIVIL ACTIONS AND APPEALS. AN OVERVIEW NOTES THE CRIMINAL DIVISION'S EFFORTS TO MEET CASELOAD PRESSURES THROUGH GREATER EFFICIENCY ON THE PART OF ATTORNEYS, USE OF LEGAL INTERNS, IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM, AND CONTINUED EMPHASIS ON SPEEDY TRIAL PROCEDURES. AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FAMILY SUPPORT UNIT AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES HAS INCREASED THE PROSECUTOR'S ABILITY TO COLLECT CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS, AND THE ACTIVITIES OF SPECIAL UNITS ASSIGNED TO HANDLE CRIMES COMMITTED BY JUVENILES, AND RAPE AND OTHER VIOLENT CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE DESCRIBED. THE BUSINESS FRAUD UNIT'S 93.79-PERCENT CONVICTION RATE FOR 152 FELONY CASES FILED IN 1977 IS CITED, AS IS THE EXPANSION OF THE PROSECUTOR'S VICTIM AND WITNESS PROGRAM. THE MAJOR EXPANSION IN THE CIVIL DIVISION INVOLVED HANDLING INSURANCE MATTERS FOR THE COUNTY, WHICH, LIKE MOST OF THE LARGER MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS IN WASHINGTON, WAS FORCED INTO SELF-INSURANCE PROGRAMS AS A RESULT OF RISING INSURANCE PREMIUMS. THE CIVIL DIVISION ALSO ADVISED THE STATE LEGISLATURE ON PROBLEMS WITH PROPOSED INVOLUNTARY CIVIL COMMITMENT LEGISLATION. (LKM)