NCJ Number
130118
Date Published
1990
Length
324 pages
Annotation
This study identified information and automation needs of public defense providers in New York State.
Abstract
The review team studies nine public defense providers over an 8-month period to analyze information system requirements of these offices and of the public defense system as a whole. The team pointed to five areas where change is most important in the delivery of public defense services: (1) there is a need for timely access to case information; (2) the level of resources for automation found in most public defender offices is inadequate; (3) there is a need to standardize client and case information for efficient collection, retrieval, and exchange of data; (4) there is a lack of communication and coordination among public defense providers; and (5) there is a need to train public defender staff on how to develop, implement, and use appropriate automation and information systems. The review team recommends that a comprehensive public defense information system be implemented and that criminal history information maintained by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services be made available to all public defense providers. The team further recommends that State funding be allocated to public defense providers to enable them to acquire needed computer equipment and that the position of a systems analyst be created to provide advice and consultation services to public defenders. Finally, the team recommends that funding be made available to provide for automated access for all public defense providers to the New York State Defenders Association's brief banks, motion catalogs, case summaries, and other clearinghouse information. Tables and figures