NCJ Number
49654
Date Published
1977
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THE WITNESS PROJECT, BEGUN IN OCTOBER 1974 UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE LOS ANGELES (CALIF.) MUNICIPAL COURT, UNDERTOOK RESEARCH AND IMPLEMENTED SERVICE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ASSIST PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE WITNESSES.
Abstract
HOWEVER, SINCE THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ASSUMED ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF THE PROJECT IN SPRING 1977, THE PRIMARY EFFORTS OF THE PROJECT HAVE BEEN TO ASSIST WITNESSES AND VICTIMS APPEARING ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY. ALTHOUGH THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED TO FACILITATE COURT PROCEEDINGS AND IMPROVE COURT EFFICIENCY, ENHANCE THE PUBLIC IMAGE OF THE COURTS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND DEVELOP AN ONGOING RESEARCH CAPABILITY FOR RECOMMENDATIONS, MODIFICATIONS, AND IMPROVEMENTS OF WITNESS-RELATED ACTIVITIES, THE PRIMARY GOAL WAS TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE WITNESS ASSISTANCE USING CHILD CARE CENTERS, A SUBPOENA INFORMATION PACKET, A COURTROOM INFORMATION PACKET, FREE PARKING, TRANSPORTATION COUPONS, AN INFORMATION DESK, WITNESS LOUNGES, A SEXUAL ASSAULT PAMPHLET, CASE DISPOSITION NOTIFICATION, AND SPECIAL VICTIM/WITNESS ASSISTANCE MEASURES. DESCRIPTIONS ARE PROVIDED OF EACH OF THESE ASSISTANCE ELEMENTS. BASED ON THE PROJECT'S 2-YEAR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MUNICIPAL COURT, IT IS STRESSED THAT SUCH VICTIM/WITNESS INITIATIVES SHOULD BE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE RATHER THAN THE COURT, BECAUSE THE PROSECUTOR IS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH WITNESSES AND VICTIMS AND CAN MORE EFFECTIVELY INTEGRATE SUPPORT SERVICES INTO THE FUNCTIONS OF BOTH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE CITY ATTORNEY. (KBL)