NCJ Number
11264
Date Published
1973
Length
163 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS OF THE GOVERNOR'S SELECT COMMITTEE, RECOMMENDING SPECIFIC ACTIONS AND PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE THE FAIRNESS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF CALIFORNIA'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALL MAJOR AREAS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE GUIDED LARGELY BY ITS FINDINGS THAT CITIZENS DESIRE STRONGER LAW ENFORCEMENT, LESS LENIENT IMPOSITION OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES, LESS DELAY IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, AND GREATER PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC. SOME KEY RECOMMENDATIONS CALL FOR CREATION OF A 'PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY' ENCOMPASSING ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY FUNCTIONS IN THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIFORM CRIME REPORTING AND AN INTEGRATED AUTOMATED CRIME INFORMATION SYSTEM TO BE (OPERATIONAL BY 1983), POSSIBLE CONSOLIDATION OF SOME SMALL POLICE AGENCIES, INSTITUTING THE UNIVERSAL EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER 911, MANDATORY PRISON SENTENCE FOR CRIMINALS WIELDING GUNS AND PUSHING NARCOTICS, ABOLITION OF THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE COVERING UNLAWFUL SEARCHES AND SEIZURES, PROCEDURES TO ASSURE THAT CRIMINAL CASES ARE TRIED WITHIN 60 DAYS, SIX-MEMBER JURIES FOR MISDEMEANORS AND FOR FELONIES NOT PUNISHABLE BY LIFE PUNISHMENT OR DEATH, AND MORE UNIFORM SENTENCING. A PROPOSED STATUTE FOR PRETRIAL RECIPROCAL DISCOVERY IS APPENDED.