NCJ Number
155140
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: (1995) Pages: 191-200
Date Published
1995
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The social organization of Crown prosecutors in a province in eastern Canada was examined using data collected at various points in time and in various locations across the province between 1990 and 1992 through structured and unstructured interviews, participant observation, and the analysis of secondary materials.
Abstract
The analysis focused on the nature and extent of quantitative and qualitative role overload and their contributions to role strain. Findings indicated that prosecutors experience high degrees of role overload and that overload produces considerable strain. Qualitative and quantitative role overload and the strain they produce affect not only the individual prosecutors but the justice system. Aside from the obvious and highly publicized problems associated with backlogs and case dismissals due to trial delays, other less visible impacts occur. These include the negative effects of chronic stress and fatigue on effective performance, the well-known difficulties associated with retaining prosecutors in the system, difficulties in replacing those who leave, and cases when it is impossible to assign a particular case to the attorney who is best equipped to process it. Most of the recommendations for addressing these problems involve expenditures. 24 references (Author abstract modified)