THE EVALUATION EXTENDS FROM STARTUP TO SEPTEMBER 1976, WITH DECREASED STAFFING FROM JUNE 1976 TO THE END OF THE PERIOD. THE UNIT IS A PRODUCT OF THE UNION BETWEEN THE CONSUMER FRAUD DIVISION OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE PROJECT TURNAROUND STAFF SECURED THROUGH A MAJOR LEAA GRANT. IN ADDITION TO SCREENING CASES TO DETERMINE WHETHER CRIMINAL CHARGES SHOULD BE ISSUED OR NOT, THE STAFF PROVIDES COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICES. THE UNIT DEALT WITH VARIOUS SITUATIONS IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER OF FREQUENCY: (1) FAMILY DISORDERS, BATTERY AND HARASSMENT; (2) CONSUMER FRAUD; (3) THEFT; (4) OTHER CONSUMER PROBLEMS; (5) DAMAGE TO PROPERTY; AND (6) OTHER. THROUGH ITS EFFORTS THE UNIT WAS ABLE TO DECREASE THE WAITING TIME FOR CITIZEN COMPLAINANTS FROM 4.5 HOURS BEFORE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNIT TO APPROXIMATELY 35 MINUTES. CITIZEN PERCEPTION OF THE SERVICES HAS BEEN POSITIVE WHEN COMPARED WITH A BASELINE PERIOD. HOWEVER, WITH A DECREASE IN FUNDING, DECLINE IN SATISFACTION WAS ALSO APPARENT. RATINGS ON EFFECTIVENESS AND COURTEOUSNESS DECLINED AS WELL. IT WAS FOUND ALSO THAT THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF CLIENT SATISFACTION EXISTS WHEN A CRIMINAL CHARGE IS ISSUED. MORE THAN HALF OF THE COMPLAINANTS ARE SATISFIED WHEN THE OFFICE ISSUES A MEDIATION LETTER, GIVES ADVICE, ORDERS THE ALLEGED OFFENDER IN, OR AT LEAST AGREES TO INVESTIGATE. CRIMINAL CHARGES ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE ISSUED FOR VIOLENCE AND CONSUMER PROBLEMS. THE MAJOR DISSATISFACTIONS WITH THE UNIT RESULTED FROM THE PROBLEM NOT BEING SOLVED OR FROM AN INABILITY TO TALK TO AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY. NO SPECIFICATIONS OF THE METHODOLOGY USED IN THE EVALUATION ARE PRESENTED. TABLES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--MLC)