COM 0124.028 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Generally, this unit conducts investigations in a variety of cases, from simple traffic cases to cases of the most complex, confidential and diverse nature. The primary responsibility of the. unit is to assist the attorneys in preparing cases for trial. This includes: conducting follow-up investigations on cases referred to the office by the Hawaii County Police Department, preparing exhibits for courtroom presentations, locating and securing the testimony of expert witnesses, coordinating appearance of witnesses at trial and monitoring bench warrants. In addition, the unit is also responsible for assisting in locating and apprehension of fugitives. The unit, with the cooperation and assistance of the Hawaii County Police Department and other law enforcement agencies locally, nationally and internationally, attempts to locate and return fugitives back to Hawaii County. LEGAL CLERICAL UNIT The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney has the largest legal clerical staff in Hawaii County with seventeen clerical employees in the Hilo Office, five clerical employees in the Kona Office, and one island-wide supervisor. The unit provides assistance to office attorneys and investigators. Administration and the Victim Assistance Unit have their own clerical staff. Unique demands placed upon the legal clerical staff -time constraints, ever- increasing court requirements, and the public's and other agencies' demands for more services done in less time -continue to strain the unit. Over the past several years there has been a significant increase in the volume of cases, without a corresponding increase in clerical staff. They continue to work diligently to handle the volume, however, the current level of staffing does not provide for spikes in workload or coverage. This ongoing situation affects morale, accuracy and efficiency. It also affects our ability to retain and recruit staff. In addition to doing traditional legal work, the clerical staff is responsible for input and update of case information to the Office's HITS case tracking system. HITS is utilized by staff as well as by Police and is interfaced with the State Juvenile Justice Infornation System (JJ1S) and Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). An average of 360 to 420 new charges are input weekly once cases are referred from the Police Department or when defendants are detained pending arraignment. Traffic citations are not generally input into the system until the offender elects to go to trial. This then requires input to the case tracking system and additional processing, including creation of case files, processing of discovery, and issuing subpoenas to witnesses. Throughout, computer tracking input must be done to document the status, file location, and calendar disposition of each case. As Hawaii County's economy has declined, an increasing number of defendants have been unable to make restitution payments, pay fines or do required community service. This results iin their returning to District Court prompting further tracking by our 12