Fiscal Year 2008 Justice Assistance Grant Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states, tribes, and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The county of Charles will use their Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $24,447 to enable the Charles County Sheriff's Office to upgrade the specialized equipment and technologies used by its Criminal Investigations Division. The funding provided by this grant would continue the agency's goal of using new and improved technology to get better evidence that can be used for the trial process and conviction of persons committing crimes. The main goals of the program is for the equipment to be installed, and to provide accurate recordings of a suspect's statement, confession, and demeanor for submission in the courtroom during trial, especially for cases that involve serious felonies such as murder, rape, and armed robberies. The decision by the County to use the 2008 JAG funds in this way reflects a commitment to the safety of the citizens by ensuring that the detectives in the Criminal Investigations Division will be able to maintain their high closure rate of complex and serious cases.

NCA/NCF