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FISCAL IMPACTS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS

NCJ Number
50775
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1976
Length
35 pages
Annotation
THIS WORKSHOP WAS SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION TO ADDRESS STANDARDS AND GOALS RELATED TO FUNCTIONS OF FISCAL PLANNERS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD.
Abstract
THE 1976 WORKSHOP WAS ATTENDED BY CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE COURTS, PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE, AND CORRECTIONS AND INCLUDED STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET OFFICERS, MAYORS, COMMISSIONERS, AND CITY MANAGERS. THE PURPOSE WAS TO ASSESS THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF AND PROBLEMS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS. MINNESOTA WAS SELECTED FOR THE LOCATION OF THE WORKSHOP BECAUSE OF THAT STATE'S EXPERIENCE IN STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION BY MEANS OF COURT-PROMULGATED RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. AS A RESULT OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION'S STANDARDS AND GOALS PROJECT, EACH STATE IS REQUIRED TO DRAFT ITS OWN STANDARDS AND GOALS. THE LEAA MANDATES THAT EACH STATE PLAN REFLECT STANDARDS AND GOALS. ANY PLANNING ACTION MUST BE SYSTEMWIDE, AND FROM THE OUTSET THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS FOR STANDARDS AND GOALS MUST BRING TOGETHER AS MANY AGENCIES OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND AS MANY INTERESTED PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS AS POSSIBLE. BECAUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS THE FIFTH LARGEST EXPENDITURE OF GOVERNMENT FOR DOMESTIC SERVICES, TOTALING ABOUT $15 BILLION, EACH SET OF STANDARDS IS BECOMING MORE EXPLICIT CONCERNING WHO PAYS FOR IMPROVED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES. PROBLEMS ARE ENCOUNTERED IN EVALUATING THE COST IMPACT OF STANDARDS FOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS, THE COURTS, AND BUDGET PLANNING. IMPLEMENTATION TECHNIQUES FOR PARTICULAR TYPES OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS FOCUS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, PRETRIAL RELEASE, SPEEDY TRIALS, CORRECTIONS, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE BUDGET PLANNING. IN ONE LOCAL APPROACH TO STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION IN MINNESOTA, THE FOLLOWING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAVE BEEN REALIZED THROUGH THE STANDARDS AND GOALS APPROACH: CENTRALIZED POLICE RECRUITING, A SEVEN-COUNTY METROPOLITAN AREA INVESTIGATIVE SQUAD, TEAM POLICING, A PRETRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM, FULL-TIME PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICES, COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS, AND YOUTH SERVICE BUREAUS. THE ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF STANDARDS AND THE NEED FOR COOPERATION AND MORE ATTENTION TO FISCAL PLANNING AND ANALYSIS WITH RESPECT TO THE COST OF STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION ARE DISCUSSED. COORDINATION, GOVERNMENT ROLES, LEGISLATIVE ROLES, AND JUDICIAL RULEMAKING ARE SOME OF THE OTHER TOPICS COVERED IN DEALING WITH THE FISCAL IMPACT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS. A LIST OF WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS AND PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS IS INCLUDED. (DEP)