Offender-based tracking through a local justice system

Criminal justice planners at the local level can identify issues and problems involved in processing criminal cases by “tracking” individual arrestees through the justice system. In Joliet, Illinois (U.S.A.), this was done via a manual data collection, manipulation, and reporting system. Issues and problems discussed in the first two reports generated are elaborated upon in this article. Insights into the charging decisions made by police and prosecutor, misdemeanor case handling, and plea negotiations are discussed. Numerous factors influence how these functions are performed and how they can interrelate.