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COORDINATION AT THE STATE LEVEL - PRACTICAL PROBLEMS IN CURRENT ORGANIZATION

NCJ Number
50889
Author(s)
R COHEN
Date Published
Unknown
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE COORDINATION, INVESTIGATION, AND PROSECUTION OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AND PREVENTION TECHNIQUES IN THE STATE OF MAINE ARE CONSIDERED BY AN INDIVIDUAL WITH 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.
Abstract
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MAINE HAS FULL PROSECUTIVE POWERS AND ORIGINAL JURISDICTION TO INITIATE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. THE OFFICE HANDLES THE INVESTIGATION AND PROESECUTION OF ALMOST ALL ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATES. LOCAL PROSECUTORS PAID THROUGH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TAKE CARE OF STREET CRIMES AND PROPERTY CRIMES. IF THERE IS TO BE CONTINUITY IN THE PROSECUTION OF CRIMINALS, PARTICULARLY WHITE COLLAR CRIMINALS AND ORGANIZED CRIME, IT IS NECESSARY TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ITSELF IN TERMS OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTORS AND THEIR SALARIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. BECAUSE ATTORNEYS INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL PROSECUTION, INCLUDING ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL, WORK ON AN ONGOING BASIS, 7 DAYS A WEEK AND ON NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS, THE STATE CANNOT REALISTICALLY FUNCTION WITHOUT FEDERAL FUNDS AND THEREFORE RELIES ON THE LEAA. IN MAINE, THE LEAA HAS NOT BEEN AS RESPONSIVE AS IT COULD BE IN THE AREA OF ORGANIZED CRIME. THERE IS A NEED FOR ONGOING REGIONAL COMMUNICATION AND JOINT APPROACHES TO THE EXCHANGE OF INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION AND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPERATIONAL CASES. THE NEED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION ORGANIZATION IN REDUCING ORGANIZED CRIME IS STRESSED. A BASIC DISTRUST OF PROSECUTORS BY SEASONED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS EXISTS, AND THE NEED TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP OF TRUST BETWEEN THE VARIOUS AGENCIES IS STRESSED. PROBLEMS IN THE ORGANIZED CRIME UNIT ARE DUE TO THE FACT THAT NARCOTICS INVESTIGATIONS ARE NOT SEPARATE FROM ORGANIZED CRIME INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS AND THE LACK OF A DISTINCTION BETWEEN OPERATIONAL AND NONOPERATIONAL PERSONNEL. INTELLIGENCE WORK IS THE KEY TO AN ORGANIZED CRIME UNIT. (DEP)