PROMIS (PROSECUTOR'S MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM), NO 11 - UNIFORM CRIME CHARGING MANUAL, REVISED, AUGUST 1976

• NCJ Number: 44760
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 7 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-016-76
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; INSLAW
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PROMIS BRIEFING SERIES

Annotation

A REFERENCE GUIDE USED BY SCREENING ASSISTANTS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

GENERATED AS A BYPRODUCT OF THE LEAA EXEMPLARY PROJECT PROMIS, THE INTAKE AND SCREENING MANUAL REPRESENTS AN EFFORT TO ASSURE CONSISTENT, UNIFORM CHARGING POLICIES. THE MANUAL, WHICH IS ALSO USED AS A TRAINING DEVICE FOR NEW PROSECUTORS, STRUCTURES PROCEDURES AND DECISIONS IN A MANNER THAT PROMOTES COMPLIANCE WITH THE POLICY AND PRIORITIES ESTABLISHED BY THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR. THE MANUAL DESCRIBES SCREENING PROCEDURES AND FORMS, THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF CHARGING, THE ORGANIZATION OF THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, WITNESS PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS, PROMIS ORIENTATION, AND DETAILS OF CASE PROCESSING AFTER THE SCREENING STAGE. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE VALUE OF COMPLETE, ACCURATE, LEGIBLE ENTRIES ON FORMS AND CASE JACKETS. THE CORE OF THE MANUAL IS ITS GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A SUFFICIENT CASE IS MADE FOR PROSECUTION, DECIDING WHAT CHARGES SHOULD BE BROUGHT, ADHERING TO PRETRIAL PROCEDURAL MATTERS (SETTING TRIAL DATES, SCHEDULING LINEUPS, ETC.), ENROLLING DEFENDANTS IN DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS, AND AVOIDING COMMON PITFALLS. THE CRIME-CHARGING MANUAL AS USED BY THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE STRUCTURES DISCRETIONARY DECISIONMAKING WITHOUT REDUCING THE FLEXIBILITY THAT MAKES DISCRETIONARY PROCESSING A VALUABLE PART OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS. FOR OTHER ISSUES IN THE SERIES, SEE NCJ 44750-44759 AND 44761-44770.