NCJ Number
242191
Date Published
May 2012
Length
58 pages
Annotation
As a means of increasing effectiveness in prosecuting elder-abuse cases, this guide presents an overview of performance measures and recommends strategies for "flagging" such cases; and it proposes logistics and tools required to collect, analyze, and interpret each performance measure.
Abstract
The purposes of the performance measures are to plan and meet established operating goals/standards for intended outcomes; to detect deviations from planned levels of performance; and to restore performance to the initial or meet new performance levels. Before proposing the performance measures, this guide addresses typical reasons a prosecutor's office may resist developing performance measures for the prosecution of elder-abuse cases. The eight recommended performance measures together address case preparation, case processing, victim outcomes, and offender sanctions. The eight performance measures pertain to the use of an evidence checklist, the use of expert consultants, the time to case resolution, prosecution-initiated continuances, victim satisfaction ratings, early payment of restitution, supervised sentences, and contact restrictions. Following the descriptions of performance measures, the guide turns to the issue of "flagging" cases, which consists of working with law enforcement in setting the criteria and establishing a data system that will assist in identifying those cases to which the performance measures will apply. The guide concludes with a major section on the logistics for determining whether or not performance measures are being met. Topics discussed include the data-collection process, required data elements, and the case file summary form. The specific logistics for determining whether or not each performance measure is being met are discussed. A listing of additional national organizations and resources