HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1985.05.23 - 11130Miscellaneous Resolution # 85165 May 23, 1985
BY: PERSONNEL COMMITTEE-John J. McDonald, Chairperson
RE: Prosecuting Attorney-Establishment of Three Positions for
Victim-Witness Unit
TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime made
the following specific recommendations with respect to prosecutors:
1. Prosecutors should assume ultimate responsibility for
informing victims of the status of a case from the time
of the initial charging decision to determinations of
parole.
2. Prosecutors have an obligation to bring to the attention
of the court the views of victims of violent crime on
bail decisions, continuances, plea bargains, dismissals,
sentencing, and restitution. They should establish proce-
dures to ensure that such victims are given the opportunity
to make their views on these matters known.
3. Prosecutors should charge and pursue to the fullest extent
of the law defendants who harass, threaten, injure, or
otherwise attempt to intimidate or retaliate against vic-
tims or witnesses.
4. Prosecutors should strongly discourage case continuances.
When such delays are necessary, procedures should be
established to insure that cases are continued to dates
agreeable to victims and witnesses, that those dates are
secured in advance whenever possible, and that the reasons
for the continuances are adequately explained.
5. Prosecutors' offices should use a victim and witness
on-call system.
6. Prosecutors' offices should establish procedures to ensure
the prompt return of victims property, absent a need
for the actual evidence in court.
7. Prosecutors' offices should establish and maintain direct
liaison with victim/witness units and other victim service
agencies.
8. Prosecutors must recognize the profound impact that crimes
of sexual violence have on both child and adult victims
and their families; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland County Prosecutor has proposed the estab-
lishment of a Victim-Witness Unit in the Prosecutor's Office to
implement the recommendations of the President's Task Force and to
administer the program of serving Circuit Court criminal subpoenas
by mail; and
WHEREAS, the program to serve Circuit Court criminal subpoenas
by mail which has received unanimous support from representatives
of Oakland County police departments will cause significant savings
to local police departments in time and resources devoted to that
function; and
WHEREAS, the cooperation of victims and witnesses is the
mainstay of prosecutorial effectivenes; and
WHEREAS, the Victim-Witness Unit will address in a meaningful
way the heretofore neglect of the official criminal justice system
to witnesses, victims, and their families.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners approve the concept of a Victim-Witness Unit to be
created in the Administrative Division of the Prosecutor's Office.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that one (1) position of Office Leader
and two (2) positions of Para-Legal Clerk be established in the
Victim-Witness Unit.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a twelve month review, or sooner
if requested by the Prosecutor's Office, of the Victim-Witness
program be presented to your Personnel Committee to determine the
future of the program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that within six months from the inception
of the program that the Prosecutor's Office present a status report
to the Personnel Committee.
Mr. Chairperson, on behalf of the Personnel Committee, I move
the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
May 23, 1985 #85165
Moved by McDonald supported by Aaron the resolution be adopted.
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Finance Committee.
There were no objections.