SAN DIEGO COUNTY (CA) PROBATION DEPARTMENT PROGRAM - ADULT PROPERTY CRIME DEFERRED PROSECUTION PROJECT - EVALUATION

• NCJ Number: 59691
• Author(s): K DONOHUE; M V RAMIREZ
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 41 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; California Office of Criminal Justice Planning
• Corporate Author: San Diego Cty Probation Dept
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S DEFERRED PROSECUTION PROGRAM FOR ADULTS CHARGED WITH PROPERTY CRIMES IS EVALUATED.

Abstract

THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO DIVERT SOME ADULT PROPERTY CRIME OFFENDERS, USUALLY FIRST TIME OFFENDERS, FROM FORMAL PROSECUTION. DIVERTED OFFENDERS PARTICIPATED IN SHORT-TERM VOLUNTARY PROBATION PROGRAMS. IF THE PROGRAM WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED, THE PROSECUTOR DISMISSED THE CRIMINAL CHARGE. A TOTAL OF 316 CASE FILES WERE OBTAINED, COVERING THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 1, 1973, TO NOVEMBER 30, 1974. THE PROGRAM INCLUDED 164 SUCCESSES, 11 FAILURES, AND 141 CASES REJECTED FROM PARTICIPATION. THE TYPICAL SUCCESS CASE WAS A 31 YEAR OLD CAUCASIAN FEMALE WITH HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION AND WITHOUT A PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD, WHO HAD BEEN CITED FOR SHOPLIFTING. THE TYPICAL FAILURE WAS A 24 YEAR OLD CAUCASIAN MALE WITH A LOWER EDUCATIONAL LEVEL AND WITH A PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD, WHO WAS ARRESTED FOR PETTY THEFT. THE REJECTED CASES RESEMBLED SUCCESSES EXCEPT THAT THE MAJORITY WERE MALES WITH PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORDS. THE FAILURE GROUP HAD THE MOST DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS. SUPERVISION USUALLY BEGAN SIX WEEKS AFTER THE OFFENSE WAS COMMITTED, RATHER THAN THE FEW DAYS INTENDED IN THE PROGRAM. SUPERVISION WAS NEITHER INTENSIVE NOR INDIVIDUALLY STRUCTURED, AND USUALLY TOTALED THREE CONTACTS BETWEEN CLIENT AND SUPERVISOR OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD. WHILE UNDER SUPERVISION, 15 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED ON NEW CHARGES. TEN SUCCESSFULLY FINISHED THE PROGRAM AND FIVE WERE FAILURES. THE OTHER SIX FAILURES WERE EITHER UNCOOPERATIVE OR DID NOT MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH THE PROBATION OFFICER. INCOMPLETE AND INACCURATE DATA HAMPERED THE ANALYSIS. NEVERTHELESS, IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROGRAM INVOLVED MAINLY LOW RISK INDIVIDUALS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ONGOING PROGRAM EVALUATION BE CONDUCTED, THAT RECORD KEEPING IMPROVE, AND THAT THE NUMBER OF FELONY OFFENDERS IN THE PROGRAM BE INCREASED. A DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY METHODOLOGY, TABLES, AND APPENDIXES GIVING ADDITIONAL RESULTS AND THE DATA FORMS USED, ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)