Overview
The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office—Middle District1 (WCDA) was established under Sections 12 and 13 of Chapter 12 of the Massachusetts General Laws, which provide for the administration of criminal law and the defense of civil actions brought against the Commonwealth in accordance with Chapter 258 of the General Laws. WCDA serves 4 cities and 56 towns in central Massachusetts and has 11 district courts, of which 4 have 6-member jury-trial sessions. WCDA represents the Commonwealth at bail hearings, at commitment proceedings related to criminal matters, at rendition proceedings, and during the presentation of evidence in all inquests, and it assists in the investigation of a variety of criminal activities. In addition to its legal and investigatory activities, WCDA operates several programs that provide educational services to the public as well as services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The programs subject to our audit are described below.
The Young Adult Diversion Program is available to first-time offenders between the ages of 17 and 22 who are charged with certain nonviolent crimes, such as possession of alcohol, purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol, possession of an open container of alcohol, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and shoplifting (when it is a first offense). Program participants can postpone their arraignments for 90 days while completing the requirements of the program, which include paying court costs, performing community service, and completing an online education program. Upon participants’ successful completion of the program requirements, the charges against them are dismissed before arraignment. The Young Adult Diversion Program has two part-time employees. The Young Adult Diversion Program is discretionary, is not required or governed by statute, and does not receive separate funding. WCDA chooses to operate this this program using the monies the Legislature appropriates each year to fund WCDA’s overall operations. WCDA estimates the annual cost of the program at $73,050.
WCDA also operates a Victim/Witness Assistance Program, which is governed by Chapter 258B of the General Laws. According to WCDA’s website,
The primary goals of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program are to reduce the level of secondary injury associated with the aftermath of crime and to aid in the prosecution of criminal cases by ensuring that crime victims and witnesses are provided with the entitlements and services mandated by the Massachusetts Victim Bill of Rights.
See the appendix to this report for detailed descriptions of these entitlements and services. As of January 15, 2017, the Victim/Witness Assistance Program had 21 full-time advocates, a director, and a deputy director.
Finally, WCDA operates a Drug Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Program. This program, governed by Section 47 of Chapter 94C of the General Laws, allocates the proceeds of drug-crime seizures to youth-focused community programs in Worcester County through a grant application process. Through this program, money that has been used in criminal activity is used for education and crime prevention. During the audit period, WCDA expended $504,475 on 121 community programs through the Drug Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Program.
| Date published: | March 23, 2018 |
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