Case processing across three states: Examining factors affecting time to disposition in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Colorado

• In Event: Prosecutorial Reform in Times of Tense Politics and Community Engagement

Abstract

Policymakers and practitioners argue that much of the variation in criminal case processing time is related to case-related factors (e.g., seriousness of the case, defendant pre-trial detention status) and organization-related factors (e.g., resource availability, caseloads). Research, however, has shown that, while case- and organization-related factors have some impact on time to disposition, case processing is more closely related to the case-flow management exercised throughout a criminal case, including timely discovery, consistent staffing, minimizing non-substantive hearings, or reducing time between hearings. The current study relies on data from over 120 counties in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Colorado to examine case processing factors and their relationship to time to disposition, case outcomes, and racial/ethnic disparities in case processing across jurisdictions. Findings suggest that trends in case processing time are closely related to case-flow management and that longer times to disposition are associated with harsher case outcomes. These findings also indicate that specific subsets of cases create a bottleneck effect – where the type and amount of existing and incoming cases reach a capacity threshold and processing times increase drastically even after controlling for other factors.

Authors

• Brandon Dupont, Loyola University Chicago

• Don Stemen, Loyola University Chicago