FY 2015 Court Administration Seventh Judicial Circuit

Transcription

1 Criminal Court Services Annual Report FY 2015 Court Administration Seventh Judicial Circuit

2 Table of Contents Criminal Court Services... 1 Volusia County Pretrial Services... 2 Drug Screening Laboratories... 3 Assessment Supervision. 6-7 Flagler County Pretrial Services Veterans Treatment Court Statistical Summary for Pretrial Services. 11 Court Interpreting Services Court Reporting Services Stenographic Digital Court Reporting

3 Criminal Court Services A Division of Court Administration Criminal Court Services is a division of Court Administration encompassing Pretrial Services, Court Interpreting and Court Reporting. Each department is staffed with knowledgeable employees who are dedicated to providing services in accordance with the standards and codes of conduct of their respective professions. Volusia County Pretrial Services has been an accredited program since 2008 and several staff members are Certified Pretrial Services Professionals through the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies. The Circuit s staff interpreters are fully certified by the State of Florida. The stenographic court reporters employed by the circuit are all Registered Professional Reporters through the National Court Reporters Association. In addition to providing services to the Court, Criminal Court Services produces statistical reports to assist judges in managing court dockets and keeping current on trends that affect the criminal process, such as jail population. The division collaborates with community partners and other criminal justice agencies to identify resources to enhance the judicial process and assist those seeking to resolve legal matters. The Criminal Court Services staff takes pride in providing professional services to those it serves. As such, the division remains dedicated to fulfilling Court Administration s mission and vision to support the judiciary while providing citizens with prompt and courteous service. Criminal Court Services Shirley Olson, Manager Volusia County Pretrial Services Flagler County Pretrial Services Court Interpreting 4 employees Court Reporting Laboratories 5 employees Supervision 1 employee Stenographic 3 employees Assessment Digital 8 employees 11 employees Supervision 13 employees 1

4 Volusia County Pretrial Services During the county fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, Volusia County Pretrial Services provided accurate, unbiased information to judges concerning arrestees, monitored those placed under pretrial supervision and screened specimens submitted to urinalysis laboratories. Pretrial Services was re-accredited on June 24, 2014 by the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission (FCAC). The accreditation process involves an independent audit by FCAC assessors of the program s compliance with 57 standards over a three-year period. Receiving and maintaining accreditation signifies the program is maintaining the highest level of professionalism and setting the standard for the profession. The program has maintained accreditation for over seven years. Each of the units within Volusia County Pretrial Services performs specialized functions, all vital to a successful and comprehensive program. As such, each unit has specific goals. Performance highlights on the Drug Screening Laboratories, Assessment and Supervision units are as follows. 2

5 Drug Screening Laboratories The primary goal of the laboratories is to provide screening services in a professional and credible manner while applying collection and screening best practices. During this fiscal period, lab supervisors provided educational training regarding screening services to the Community Partnership for Children. Additionally, the laboratories started screening for Buprenorphine, the key substance in Suboxone. The laboratories also retain the services of an independent testing laboratory. This resource enables the laboratories to send urine specimens for additional testing to confirm screening results and test for additional chemical substances. The Volusia County laboratories will continue to place emphasis on meeting industry standards and provide educational training to community partners. The laboratories will continue to comply with State of Florida Department of Health regulations. Drug Screening Laboratory Goals for FY2016 Achieve a satisfactory inspection rating from the State of Florida Department of Health. Increase the number of lab staff who are Certified Pretrial Services Professionals through the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies. Increase number of staff that attends formal analyzer training. By the Numbers FY2014 FY2015 Testing 212, ,783 Individual tests run 6,889 6,972 Individual tests run with positive results 33,100 33,526 Specimens tested 5,115 5,390 Specimens with positive results 3

6 Assessment On a daily basis, including weekends and holidays, Pretrial Assessment diligently reviews defendant criminal histories, conducts defendant interviews and contacts victims of domestic violence. This research is compiled to create a comprehensive report utilized by the First Appearance judge to make release decisions. During fiscal year 2015, there were 24,175 individuals booked into the jail with 18,297 attending First Appearance. Those that did not attend First Appearance either posted bond or were released by issuance of a Notice to Appear. The assessment unit places emphasis on expediting the release of pretrial detainees from the jail whenever possible. One method utilized is the Notice to Appear process. Pretrial Assessment staff evaluate current charges and criminal histories of those booked into the jail. If an arrestee meets certain criteria, the assessment unit notifies the booking department of Notice to Appear eligibility. The booking department then makes a final determination regarding release. The assessment unit coordinates with the jail on releasing those individuals that were ordered to be monitored by Global Positioning Systems (GPS). This assures the GPS equipment is properly installed in a timely manner before the defendant is released from custody. Volusia County Pretrial Services was selected by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation to implement the Public Safety Assessment, a national risk assessment instrument. This tool will provide the judiciary with an unbiased and scientifically validated method of determining a defendant s likelihood to commit a new law violation and to fail to appear for scheduled court events. 4

7 Assessment Goals FY2016 Work with developers to create an electronic First Appearance application. Implement the Public Safety Assessment and provide staff and judicial training. Increase the number of assessment staff who are Certified Pretrial Services Professional through the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies. By the Numbers FY2014 FY2015 Assessment Notices to Appear issued 5,805 5,617 Interviews conducted 3,380 3,212 Cases ordered to Pretrial Supervision at First Appearance 2,085 2,045 Victim contacts 5

8 Supervision Pretrial Supervision monitors defendants released into the community while awaiting disposition of their criminal cases. Supervision consists of monitoring compliance with court ordered conditions of release, ensuring appearances at scheduled court proceedings and promoting a lawful lifestyle. The supervision unit maintained an active caseload of 71 defendants per officer and a court appearance rate of 99.1%. Periodically, judges request that the supervision unit attempt to locate a defendant who has failed to appear for a scheduled court date. These individuals are often charged with felonies and are not monitored by the unit. During fiscal year 2015, 70 investigations were conducted and 55 defendants were successfully located and rescheduled for court. This avoids the costs associated with the service of a warrant. Additional program highlights include continued administrative support of the Sentencing Alternatives for Volusia Enforcement (SAVE) docket, Anti-Drug Initiative program and Domestic Violence Advisory Committee. The Supervision unit assists the SAVE docket coordinator in determining program eligibility based on defendant criminal history. This measure helps to streamline entry into the program while placing emphasis on public safety. During fiscal year 2015, 33 criminal history investigations were completed. 6

9 The Anti-Drug Initiative program is an option the court can utilize to divert low-risk offenders into substance abuse education classes. Occasionally judges will order a defendant to be monitored by the Supervision unit until the defendant is enrolled in the program. This has resulted in expedited enrollments of defendants. All units place an emphasis on continuing education. During this fiscal year, two employees attended the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies conference, two employees attended a Global Positioning System conference and four employees attended the Association of Pretrial Professionals of Florida statewide training. Additionally, employees attended a one-day team building event and a one-day Mental Health First Aid training. Supervision Goals for FY2016 Maintain agency accreditation through the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission. Increase the number of supervision staff who are Certified Pretrial Services Professionals through the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies. Research mechanisms to assist in the case management of court dockets. By the Numbers FY2014 FY2015 Supervision 3,380 3,212 New cases received at First Appearance New cases received after First Appearance 4,157 4,060 Cases closed 3, % 3, % Cases closed successfully 4, % 4, % Cases closed without Failing to Appear 3, % 3, % Cases closed without Failing to Comply 4, % 3, % Cases closed without a New Arrest 7

10 Flagler County Pretrial Services The Flagler County Pretrial Supervision program began in March The program consists of one court services officer who monitors an average of 50 defendants per month. The primary function of the program is to encourage the accused to comply with conditions of pretrial release, to appear for all scheduled court events and to maintain a lawful lifestyle. Pretrial Supervision also provides defendants with referrals to social service agencies. These agencies can assist with housing, transportation, nourishment and employment. Supervision Goals for FY2016 Maintain referrals to social service agencies to assist defendants with employment, housing, transportation and substance abuse. Pretrial Services officer to obtain certification as Certified Pretrial Services Professional through the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies. By the Numbers FY2014 FY2015 Supervision New cases received at First Appearance New cases received after First Appearance Cases closed % % Cases closed successfully % % Cases closed without Failing to Appear % % Cases closed without Failing to Comply % % Cases closed without a New Arrest 8

11 Veterans Treatment Court Veterans Treatment Court was implemented in November 2013 on the east side of the county with one judge, one misdemeanor program coordinator, a Veteran Justice Outreach Coordinator and two participants. The program has evolved to two judges making the program available to veterans on the east and west side of the county, two misdemeanor case coordinators, two felony case coordinators, several veteran mentors, an average of 40 participants and full support from the Department of Veteran Affairs, State Attorney s Office, Public Defender s Office, Clerk of Court s Office and Department of Corrections. Defendants who are charged with a qualifying offense, served in the U.S. Armed Forces and were honorably or generally discharged may be eligible. Each case is addressed utilizing the resources of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to identify and treat the underlying causes of the criminal behavior. Cases are supervised by the case coordinators at no expense to the defendant. In addition, the program regularly allows veterans to complete community service hours in lieu of paying monetary fines and fees. As of April 2015, the program began screening felony cases for program acceptance. 9

12 Veterans Treatment Court Goals for FY2016 Expand the program by accepting those charged with felonies that meet program criteria. Implement additional methods to assist in the identification of veterans involved in the justice system. By the Numbers FY2014 FY2015 Veterans Treatment Court 27 0 New cases received at First Appearance New cases received after First Appearance Cases closed % % Cases closed successfully 4 15 Defendants newly enrolled/reenrolled to receive VA benefits 10

13 The Volusia County Pretrial Services statistical summary below captures fiscal year data from October 1 through September 30. STATISTICAL SUMMARY & DATA FOR PRETRIAL SERVICES 6 YEAR COMPARISON NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS AT FIRST APPEARANCE 18,529 18,126 18,339 17,808 18,412 18,297 TOTAL NUMBER OF INTERVIEWS 7,177 6,257 6,148 5,414 5,805 5,617 Felony Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Domestic Violence 1,972 2,179 2,322 2,133 2,416 2,397 Other (non-dv, felony & misdemeanor) 4,525 3,258 2,940 2,422 2,459 2,260 NUMBER OF RELEASES TO PRETRIAL 5,263 4,554 4,499 3,832 4,046 3,866 Felony 2,154 1,819 1,717 1,461 1,436 1,436 Misdemeanor 3,109 2,735 2,782 2,371 2,610 2,430 PRETRIAL SERVICES CASES CLOSED 5,116 4,799 4,539 3,953 4,157 4,060 Unsuccessful Successful 4,425 4,117 3,918 3,521 3,440 3,264 Appeared in court 5,008 4,679 4,429 3,898 4,094 4,024 Appearance Rate 97.9% 97.5% 97.5% 98.6% 98.5% 99.1% No New Arrests 4,940 4,633 4,397 3,834 4,027 3,881 No New Arrests Rate 96.6% 96.5% 96.8% 97.0% 96.9% 95.6% Complied with Program 4,709 4,403 4,170 3,695 3,633 3,479 Compliance Rate 92.0% 91.7% 91.8% 93.5% 87.4% 85.7% 11

14 Court Interpreting Services Court Interpreting Services handles requests for foreign language interpreters for court proceedings in the Seventh Judicial Circuit. Staff and freelance interpreters cover felony, misdemeanor, delinquency, dependency, termination of parental rights, injunction for protection, child support, paternity, civil commitment and guardianship proceedings, as well as family law proceedings concerning children. The Court Interpreters unit, with offices at the DeLand courthouse and the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach, coordinates, provides and oversees foreign language interpreting services for court proceedings in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties, including holiday and weekend coverage of first appearances. The department employs three full-time Spanish-language interpreters and an administrative assistant. Additionally, the department utilizes freelance interpreters who provide services on a per diem basis in a wide range of foreign languages. Court interpreters are language professionals whose role is to place speakers with limited English proficiency (LEP) on equal footing as their English speaking counterparts by removing the language barrier without any kind of explanation or clarification. The department s primary goal is to provide quality interpreting services in the simultaneous, consecutive and sight interpretation modes. Staff also provides translation services for judges and court services departments. Interpreters are expected to adhere to the Court Interpreters Code of Professional Responsibility and interpret accurately and faithfully without omission, embellishment or explanation. Interpreters are knowledgeable and experienced legal professionals and their Code of Conduct prohibits them from giving legal advice. 12

15 During the state fiscal year 2015, interpreting services were provided in 19 foreign languages plus American Sign Language for a total of 2,521 interpreted events. Events refers to the number of court hearings requiring interpreting services in which the service was actually delivered. Interpreting services are delivered in person, over the telephone or via remote interpretation. Circuit-wide, the foreign languages most commonly requested and interpreting services provided were Spanish for 91.59% of total events, followed by Russian at 1.63%, Mandarin at.71%, and Portuguese at.56%. Court Interpreting Services were provided for languages of lesser diffusion (also known as exotic languages ) such as Mam, Burmese, and Laotian. The largest number of interpreting services was delivered in Volusia County, with 1,986 events between the east and west sides of the county, followed by Putnam County at 236 events. The vast majority of those events were criminal misdemeanors. The 7 th Judicial Circuit Court Interpreting department prides itself on setting high standards for Court Interpreters through training, education, supervision and personalized feedback. The department has earned a statewide recognition for finding creative ways to offer workshops affording interpreters the opportunity to earn continuing education units to maintain certification through the Florida Court Interpreters Certification Board. Court Interpreting Service Goals for FY2015 Recruit and train new interpreters, especially in languages of lesser diffusion. Continue networking with other circuits to share language resources for on-site or remote interpreting assignments. Promote professional development through education and training for interpreters. Provide training to the judiciary and attorneys on how to work efficiently with court interpreters. By the Numbers NUMBER OF EVENTS & LANGUAGES Number of Events 2,521 Number of Foreign Languages 19 Spanish 91.59% Russian 1.63% Mandarin 0.71% Portuguese 0.56% 13

16 Court Reporting Services Stenographic Throughout the Seventh Judicial Circuit, the Court Reporting Services department is charged with creating and preserving a verbatim record of words spoken by all parties in the courtroom to ensure due process. Stenographers are physically present in the courtroom and use a stenotype machine, connected to a laptop, to report the spoken word, thus creating the official record of the proceeding. This record is used to prepare written transcripts for private individuals and for appellate review. Stenographers also prepare transcripts from digitally-recorded proceedings for the judiciary throughout the circuit and are cross-trained to digitally monitor courts if the need arises. The circuit employs three full-time stenographic reporters who are Registered Professional Reporters through the National Court Reporters Association. The Manager of Court Reporting Services is also a Florida Professional Reporter and a Certified Electronic Reporter and Transcriber. Staffing court proceedings in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties, as well as producing transcripts, is achieved with the assistance of a contracted court reporting company. Staff stenographers generally provide services in Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties while a private vendor staffs proceedings in Volusia County. Court Reporting Services Goals for 2016 Place procedures for ordering transcripts and/or CDs of court proceedings and interactive forms on the circuit s website for public use. 14

17 By the Numbers NUMBER OF HOURS IN COURT # of Hours Type of Proceedings 1,033 Circuit Criminal Circuit Criminal (Real-Time) County Criminal Family Court Dependency/CINS/FINS 5.00 Family Court Delinquency 3.50 Domestic Violence Injunctions General Magistrate/Child Support Enforcement Hearing Officer for Family Court 1, GRAND TOTAL NUMBER OF TRANSCRIPT PAGES PREPARED # of Pages Types of Proceedings 30,247 Circuit Criminal 30,247 GRAND TOTAL 15

18 Digital Court Reporting Like stenographic court reporting, the Digital Court Reporting unit provides services in all four counties of the Seventh Judicial Circuit. Reporters operate out of central control rooms containing computer and audio equipment. This equipment allows reporters to simultaneously monitor multiple court proceedings. The circuit employs eleven full-time digital reporters including one digital reporting manager. For court proceedings that are not captured by a stenographer, a digital recording is the official record. Therefore, the department s staff is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the record by ensuring the audio/video recording equipment is functioning properly. The reporters also create electronic notes referred to as tags within the recording. These tags assist the reporter with quickly identifying the case style and notable events during the proceeding. This expedites fulfilling requests for copies of audio CDs that are requested by individuals for informational purposes or for the production of transcripts. During fiscal year 2015, Digital Court Reporting increased the connectivity between the digital reporting offices throughout the circuit allowing more courts to be remotely monitored from other counties. 16

19 Digital Court Reporting Goals for 2016 Provide training to the judiciary and attorneys on how to work effectively with digital court reporters. By The Numbers NUMBER OF HOURS RECORDED & TRANSCRIPT PAGES PREPARED MEDIA (CD's) PROVIDED # of Hours # of Pages Type of Proceeding # of CDs Type of Proceeding 6, Circuit Criminal 582 Private/Other Government Entity 5, County Criminal 1,767 0 Family Court Dependency/ CINS/FINS 1,392 0 Family Court - Delinquency Baker/Marchman/Guardianship 1, Domestic Violence Injunctions 463 State Attorney 390 Public Defender 65 Court-Appointed Counsel 9 Indigent for Costs Counsel 54 Regional Counsel 1,504 0 General Magistrate/Child Support Enforcement Hearing Officer for Family Court 1,563 GRAND TOTAL 26 0 Other Case Types 18, GRAND TOTAL 17