NCJ Number
155851
Date Published
1991
Length
69 pages
Annotation
This report discusses the impacts of New Jersey's drug control policies on the criminal and juvenile justice systems and recommends specific actions, including the establishment of a centralized intake process for the early screening of drug offenders, to expedite the disposition of drug cases.
Abstract
The escalating number of drug law offenses has produced congested court calendars and overcrowded prisons and jails; victimization of numerous citizens; and adverse impacts on individuals, families, and taxpayers. Without prompt and appropriate sanctions, the justice system will neither deter nor rehabilitate offenders. A centralized intake process with early screening can lead to more efficient case management and to prompt treatment for qualified offenders. Assessing the drug use of defendants at an early stage is an essential part of deciding how the court system should handle each case. In addition, prosecutors should screen cases vigorously, courts should adopt reasonable standards of offenders, offender drug treatment should receive greater emphasis, and an integrated information system should link the components of the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Increased community participation, a constitutional amendment allowing prosecutors to proceed without indictment for certain minor offenses, more resources, and further discussions about more flexible sentences are also recommended. Figure, table, and appended list of task force members