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LEGISLATIVE ISSUES IN CRIME CONTROL

NCJ Number
54650
Editor(s)
E APOSTOLIK, L AKLOKA, L PLAYER, G POPE
Date Published
1978
Length
68 pages
Annotation
THIS COLLECTION OF PAPERS ON LEGISLATIVE ISSUES IN CRIME CONTROL DISCUSSES CURRENT GEORGIA CRIMINAL LAW AND THE ROLE OF POLICE, PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS, COURTS, AND CORRECTIONS IN DEALING WITH CRIME PROBLEMS.
Abstract
THE FIRST PAPER BLAMES LEGISLATIVE FAILURES TO ENACT GUN CONTROLS, PUT AFFIRMATIVE CONSTRAINTS ON JUVENILE DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR, AND CURB THE EXTENSIVE USE OF PLEA BARGAINING BY JUDGES INCREASING CRIME RATES. IT SUGGESTS THAT A UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM WOULD HELP CURB SOME REPETITIVE COURT PROCEEDINGS AND MAKE LEGAL PROCESSING MORE EFFICIENT. THE SECOND PAPER DISCUSSES LEGISLATIVE MEANS OF IMPROVING THE DELIVERY AND QUALITY OF POLICE SERVICES. IT DESCRIBES THE STATE POLICE OFFICERS STANDARDS AND TRAINING ACT THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR UPGRADING THE TRAINING METHODS OF ALL DEPARTMENTS AND DISCUSSES STATE-LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RELATIONS. A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY THEN PRESENTS HIS VIEWS ON PLEA BARGAINING, DEFERRED PROSECUTION, AND DISCOVERY IN RELATION TO SOLVING COURT CASELOAD PROBLEMS, AND A JUDGE DISCUSSES A PROPOSED UNIFIED CONCEPT FOR COURT ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION WHICH WOULD DIVIDE A SINGLE JUDICIAL ORGANIZATION INTO FOUR LEVELS. THE SYSTEM WOULD INCLUDE FULL-TIME LICENSED JUDGES, WHO ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR FROM A LIST SUBMITTED BY STATE AND REGIONAL JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSIONS AND WHO ARE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE, REMOVAL, OR RETIREMENT. THE LAST PAPER REFUTES ARGUMENTS THAT CORRECTIONAL REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS IS IMPOSSIBLE AND SUGGESTS THAT CORRECTIONAL DEPARTMENTS ATTRACT A BETTER QUALITY OF PERSONNEL BY OFFERING HIGHER WAGES, RECRUITING MINORITY AND FEMALE PERSONNEL, AND DEVELOPING A CAREER SERVICE WITH MOBILITY. A FULL PROGRAM OF PAID WORK AND STUDY SHOULD BE OFFERED TO INMATES INSIDE A RELAXED, MODERN, AND SMALL SETTING. (DAG)