Developing an Action Plan Recommendations for Setting Priorities.

Developing an Action Plan

Recommendations for Setting Priorities

http://www.american.edu/spa

Case Management CommitteeRecommendations

• After information or at arraignment, court should screen cases and categorize for complexity (DCM):– Expedited-cases can move quickly– Standard-limited issues, some court

involvement– Complex-ongoing and extensive court

involvement

BJA Criminal Courts Technical Assistance ProjectBJA Criminal Courts Technical Assistance Project


• Create opportunities for early case disposition– Case management conference OR– Scheduling order

addressing or scheduling• Filing of motions for discovery or depositions• Pretrial conference or docket call date



At conference or docket call:• For expedited and standard cases, explore possibility

of resolution• Set cases that do not plead for trial date to allow

discovery completion:– Identify remaining motions and set hearing– Set cutoff date for additional motions– Don’t continue the trial date save for “unusual or

unanticipated circumstancesBJA Criminal Courts Technical Assistance ProjectBJA Criminal Courts Technical Assistance Project

Technical Assistance VisitRecommendations

• Make compliance reports available to all judges (and only to judges) to compare

• Involve committees of prosecutors and defense bar in setting time standards

• Tailor standards to different-sized courts• Make case assignments to individual judges

(even if after arraignment)



• Use progression orders, but set a trial period NOT a trial date

• Enable county judges to take felony pleas• Review current reports tailored to where

extended delays occur helps produce good standards

• Avoid PSI delay by use of diversion or pretrial services to gather information



• Require client (defendant) to be present if continuance is requested

• Track numbers of cases that drop out at each intermediate stage

• Make sure case time reports exclude warrant status cases


Developing an Action Plan Recommendations for Setting Priorities.

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