FY 2008 JAG 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 Thurston will use its Fiscal Year 2008 JAG award in the amount of $14,687 to purchase Wi-Fi equipment and maintenance, laptop computers, software, projectors, and wall screens. This equipment, in conjunction with the installation of a public defender case management system, a prosecutorial discovery software module, and wireless access in Superior and District Court court rooms, will help speed the exchange of discoverable documents, decrease the processing time for court documents, improve the quality of trial presentations, and significantly reduce the number of continuances currently experienced by the courts in Thurston County.

NCA/NCF