NCJ Number
26156
Date Published
1975
Length
27 pages
Annotation
PROJECT DESIGNED TO MAKE LEGAL COUNSEL AVAILABLE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THROUGH INFORMAL LEGAL OPINIONS, LEGAL ADVISORY EVALUATION REPORTS, CASE EVALUATIONS, AND ON-SITE LEGAL ADVICE.
Abstract
THE OVERALL GOAL OF THIS PROJECT WAS TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND THE ABILITIES OF WEBER COUNTY PEACE OFFICERS IN THE INVESTIGATION OF CRIME SCENES, SEARCH AND SEIZURES, COLLECTION, PACKAGING AND/OR PROCESSING OF POTENTIAL CRIMINAL EVIDENCE, AND INTERVIEWING AND INTERROGATIVE TESTIFYING IN COURT, ETC. A SURVEY OF THE POLICE CHIEFS INVOLVED REVEALED THAT USE OF THE POLICE LEGAL ADVISOR SERVICES BY THE TWELVE POLICE AND SHERIFF AGENCIES RANGED FROM NONE TO DAILY. MAJOR USERS WERE SATISFIED WITH SERVICES AND INDICATED THAT THE POLICE LEGAL ADVISOR HAD HELPED INCREASE CONVICTION RATES (FIVE PER CENT) AND DECREASE DISMISSAL RATES (NINE PERCENT). NOT ALL SMALLER AGENCIES WERE SATISFIED WITH SERVICES. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROJECT IMPROVEMENT ARE MADE IN REGARDS TO THE FOLLOWING: CONTACTING ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND PROVIDING ADEQUATE SERVICE TO ALL AGENCIES; MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS ON PROJECT OPERATION AND POLICE STATISTICS; NON-PROSECUTION OF CASES; AND COORDINATION WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE WEBER COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. DATA IS PRESENTED ON THE NUMBER OF CASES, COMPLAINTS, PROSECUTIONS, AND THE TYPES OF DISPOSITIONS DURING THIS PROJECT PERIOD. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)