NCJ Number
75536
Date Published
1980
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This report presents findings and recommendations of a LEAA technical assistance team regarding the use of a screening unit in the offices of the Commonwealth's Attorney for the 30th Judicial District of Kentucky, located in Louisville.
Abstract
The team's visit to the offices was designed to assist the Commonwealth's Attorney in the implementation of the screening unit which had been recently created. It was designed to address a wide range of problems stemming from paperwork and organizational procedures, financial management and budgeting systems, space and equipment requirements, and projects and procedures unique to the delivery of prosecutorial services. Recommendations and suggestions for dealing with identified problem areas were developed, based on interviews with the staff members most directly involved in the problem areas. Findings showed that during 1980, the office handled between 15,000 and 17,000 arrests for felony charges; of these, 1,700 indictments were returned. It was recommended that the Commonwealth Attorney assume the intake and screening function for felony cases which enter the office. In addition, the district court should be limited to making determinations of bail and counsel in felony cases. Moreover, the initial determination of probable cause in felony cases should be by means of a sworn affidavit instead of arrest slip. Furthermore, law enforcement agencies should be required to present all police reports, statements, and other relevant material to the screening unit within 14 days of a felony arrest. Other recommendations are that within 20 days of arrest, the screening unit should produce a written statement detailing the decision made in the case and that transcripts of preliminary hearings should routinely be made available to the Commonwealth's Attorney. Two appendixes and 15 footnotes are included. (Author abstract modified)