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Guide to the Criminal Justice System for General Government Elected Officials

NCJ Number
144038
Author(s)
V E Watts
Date Published
1993
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This guide provides background information on the criminal justice system for use by elected government officials in their oversight role.
Abstract
The guide is limited to actions once a crime occurs, emphasizes State and local governments, focuses on concerns that have major cost impacts across agencies and governments and over time, and provides basic tools to help elected officials improve the functioning of criminal justice agencies. Each section of the guide is designed to stand alone as a ready reference when issues emerge. Guide sections focus on policing, jails, prosecution, indigent offense, pretrial release, courts, victims and witnesses, probation and sanction options, prisons, prison and jail programs, sentencing and parole, prison and jail construction, and the juvenile justice system. Appendixes include crime definitions, a glossary, and sources of additional information. Tables and figures