NCJ Number
142887
Date Published
1992
Length
125 pages
Annotation
A program established in Washington State in 1990 to improve the prosecution of drug law offenses was evaluated by means of an analysis of yearly data from the program, a survey of all the deputy prosecutors assigned through the program, and a comparative analysis performed with a national database.
Abstract
The Statewide Drug Prosecution Assistance Program provided funds for 23 deputy prosecutors in the offices of 13 county prosecutors. The evaluation revealed that the ratio of defendant to number of charges filed has consistently increased over the 3 years since the program began and that the ratio of conviction through trial or plea has also consistently increased. In addition, the conviction through trial rate, once a defendant is brought to trial, is such that the individual has only a 1 in 10 chance of being acquitted. Moreover, during the 3 years, sentences totaling 3,400 years in jail or prisons and more than $2 million in fines have been imposed by the courts in cases prosecuted through the program. Overall, prosecutors have a sense of optimism and mission, although they believe that personnel resources and training need improvement. Recommended changes include coordination of services between deputy prosecutors and local multijurisdictional drug enforcement task forces, efforts to determine and meet personnel resource needs, and specialized training to new deputy prosecutors. Figures, tables, and appended instruments, map, additional results, and background information