NCJ Number
69945
Date Published
1980
Length
67 pages
Annotation
The management and operations of the District Attorney's office in Santa Cruz County, Calif. were examined selectively by a technical assistance team from the Criminal Prosecution Technical Assistance Project.
Abstract
The team's functional analysis of the District Attorney's Office focused on problems pertaining to the office's management, operation, and evaluation functions. Areas examined included budgetary and fiscal problems, the positions of the Chief Administrator and the Chief Deputy, intake functions, and attorney organization and training. Other areas studied included the Bureau of Investigations, the Consumer Affairs Bureau, systems and procedures, the word processing system, the jail information system. Although the office was found to be an effective organization, several changes were recommended. The budget should be organized along program lines. Two persons instead of one should be designated for the jobs of chief administrator and chief investigator. The charging policies should be evaluated and articulated. Attorneys should be rotated among the various sections of the District Attorney's office, with tours in each position lasting 12 to 15 months. New attorneys should be trained in trial tactics before being allowed to try cases on their own. Certain investigations of a political nature should be referred to a local law enforcement agency for initial investigation to avoid the appearance of political interference. Other recommended actions include the formation of a detailed office procedures manual, greater development of statistical capabilities, more efficient use of the word processing system, and development of a Rape Prosecution Project. Appendixes includes vitae of members of the Technical Assistance Team. The study was conducted under a LEAA contract.