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RECOMMENDATIONS TO EXPEDITE THE MANAGEMENT OF DRUG CASES IN THE MULTNOMAH COUNTY, (PORTLAND), OREGON CIRCUIT COURT

NCJ Number
144023
Author(s)
R J Taylor; C S Cooper
Date Published
1991
Length
31 pages
Annotation
In February 1991, two experienced drug case management consultants met with officials of the Multnomah County (Portland), Oregon justice system to discuss how that system could more effectively deal with its expanding drug caseload.
Abstract
A stated goal of the county system since 1988, when it had established a special program to expedite drug cases, was to achieve an average drug case life of 60 days from arrest to final disposition. Recommendations include the establishment of a committee to review certain complicating factors that are particular to Multnomah County, the most significant factor is that a high proportion (55 percent) of drug defendants are non-English-speaking illegal aliens. Other recommendations are to have experienced district attorneys and public defenders screen each case very early in the process: (1) to categorize cases for processing purposes according to their characteristics, (2) to adopt special procedures for handling cases involving non-English- speaking aliens, (3) to create a position of case processing coordinator, and (4) to develop mechanisms to provide inpatient and outpatient services, (5) to screen and monitor defendants diverted or processed by way of expedited dispositions. An attachment includes a sample job description and performance guideline for the court interpreter coordinator position.