NCJ Number
190773
Date Published
March 2000
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This report discussed and identified problems faced by the prosecution in the changing society and proposed solutions to the problems.
Abstract
This report presented in 1999 at the UNAFEI, 111th International Seminar on "The Role of the Police, Prosecution, and the Judiciary in the Changing Society" discussed the role of the prosecution in a changing society where new types of crime, such as organized transnational crimes, large scale economic crimes, money laundering, etc. were emerging and prevailing. This report examined the quality of public prosecutors and whether the high quality of public prosecutors can be maintained in order for them to fulfill their important duties. The report reviewed the following six areas: (1) ineffective and inefficient prosecution; (2) low conviction rate-countermeasures; (3) overloading of courts and prosecutors; (4) overloading countermeasures; (5) lack of effective countermeasures against newly emerging or prevailing crimes in the changing society; and (6) low quality of prosecutors. The main problem areas were identified as the low rate of conviction and the overloading of the courts and prosecutors. Prosecutors must stay a breast of the constant changes in law and be sensitive to the needs of society. Prosecutors should regard themselves as the custodian of the criminal justice system and initiate changes in outdated laws.