FY 14 JAG Program

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and 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, including for any one or more of the following program areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The county of Kern, through the District Attorney's Office, will utilize the FY 2014 JAG award to fund the 'JAG Target Gang Vertical Prosecution Project'. The vertical prosecution strategy emphasizes that one attorney will handle the case from beginning to end. Vertical prosecution has shown to improve conviction rates, reduce victim trauma, and provide more consistent and appropriate sentencing. The Kern County District Attorney's Office will partner closely with the Kern County Sheriff's Department to analyze and identify crime patterns and arrest perpetrators of violent gang activity, and prosecute the offenders to the fullest extent of the law. NCA/NCF