Charges¶
Charges are a list of statutes associated with a specific case. These charges and their circumstances can be documented in JustWare in any case session, making it easy to reference useful information related to the charges of a case. There is also a convenient Search bar to easily locate a statute.
Note: Civil statutes can be entered in addition to criminal statutes.
Tip: Multiple counts of the same charge can be created using the
Copy Record tool.
Creating a Charge Record¶
- Click the Charge snap-in in any open session.
-
Tip: Your JustWare Administrator may have set statute codes with activation and expiration dates that are compared to dates relative to the charge-involved person. For example, the date the charge occurred may be a key factor in determining which statutes are applicable when you add a new charge. To ensure that you have the correct list of statutes, complete the Occurred field prior to selecting the Statute.
-
In the Occurred field, type the date the offense occurred, or select the date from the drop-down calendar.
-
Fill in the Statute field.
Tip: You may be able to use an exact match statute search using the Tab key if an exact match is made to an existing statute in the database. This feature is set in the Application Parameters by your JustWare Administrator. The exact match may be set to the Statute Code, Statute Short Description, or the Charge ID. Consult your JustWare Administrator regarding this setting.
Regardless of the Statute Search Exact Match Field setting in the Application Parameters, you can type in partial statute information and perform either a Statute Quick Search or a Statute Search.
Using a Statute Quick Search¶
Type the statute number or description in the Statute field, and press
Enter or click the Statute Quick Search button .
Statutes matching your search criteria are displayed in a search session.
If the Statute field is left blank when performing a statute search, all
statute records will be returned. Click the expand button [+/-] next
to the statute text type in order to view the statute text.
Click the Details hyperlink below the statute to view a compilation
of data associated with the statute, including any attributes. Select the
correct statute. The statute is inserted into the Statute field.
Tip: Use an asterisk (*) at the end of a statute code to list all sub-sections in your search results. For example, searching for 23152* lists all subsections of the statute code "23152."
Tip: If the Application Parameter "Show Inactive Statutes" is set to True by your JustWare Administrator, expired or future statutes meeting your search criteria will be listed in your search results. The expiration date of each expired statute is listed. Comparison Dates applicable to the returned statute results are listed at the top of the screen. The user can evaluate the Comparison Date(s), Activation Date, and Expiration Date to select the statute that is appropriate for the circumstances of the charge. For example, even though a statute is currently expired, a charge may have occurred on a date when the statute was active, and the user may choose to select that statute.
Option |
Description |
---|---|
Using a Statute Search |
Type the statute number or
description in the Statute field.
Click the Statute Search button
If there is an exact match for your search criteria, the field will automatically populate with the statute. If there are multiple matches for your search criteria, a grid search session opens with all possible matches. You can also press Shift+Enter in this field to activate the Statute Search button. If the Statute field is left blank when performing a statute search, all statute records will be returned. Click the hyperlink in the Code field to view a compilation of data associated with the statute, including any attributes. Select the correct statute, and press Enter or Ctrl+S. The statute is inserted into the Statute field. |
Tip: If the Application Parameter "Show Inactive Statutes" is set to True by your JustWare Administrator, expired or future statutes meeting your search criteria will be listed in your search results. The expiration date of each expired statute is listed. Comparison Dates applicable to the returned statute results are listed at the top of the screen. The user can evaluate the Comparison Date(s), Activation Date, and Expiration Date to select the statute that is appropriate for the circumstances of the charge. For example, even though a statute is currently expired, a charge may have occurred on a date when the statute was active, and the user may choose to select that statute.
Once a statute has been inserted into the Statute field, it becomes a hyperlink. Click the hyperlink to view the statute details in a separate window.
-
Select or type all required and relevant data for each available field. Some fields may be required while others are not.
- Ended: This is an optional field. If an offense occurred over a period of time longer than a day, it is convenient to record the end date here. Type the end date, or select the date from the drop-down calendar.
- Type: Select the charge type from the list.
- Parent Charge: If there are multiple charges on the case, this field can be used to assign parent-child relationships between them.
The following fields are read-only and are populated based on the statute selected: - Charge ID - Statute Severity - Statute Class - Statute Category
-
Save the Session. (Click Save button or
Ctrl
+S
)
Tip: You can use the Parent Charge field to track charge types, dispositions and enhancers/modifiers separately (per person). This allows the child charge to have different modifiers, involved people, etc. than the parent charge.
For example, consider a case in which two people are charged but only one of them has a prior out-of-state charge affecting the current charge. You can track their charges separately by making two charges on the case, one for the base charge and a second one for the out-of-state enhancer. In the second charge row, use the Parent Charge field to select the base charge as its parent, making it (the enhancer charge) a child of the base charge. Now make the person without prior charges an involved person on the base charge only. Make the person with the out-of-state prior charge an involved person on both the base charge and the enhancer charge. This allows the first person to have a disposition only for the base charge, and the second person to have a disposition for both the base charge and the enhancer charge separately.
Charge Related Snap-ins¶
Apart from the Charge snap-in, JustWare also provides a number of other snap-ins that are associated with charges.
Shows the Snap-ins related to the Charge snap-in.
Each of these snap-ins relate to the charge that is listed in the Charge snap-in. As with all snap-ins, these snap-ins contain information in a record format. To add information, simply add a new row and enter relevant information in the fields provided.
To help you understand the advantages of these snap-ins, a brief description of each is provided below.
Location¶
The location of each charge is tracked in the Location snap-in. This is convenient if different charges of a case happened in different locations.
If multiple charges of a case happened at the same location, the Edit Multiple Records tool makes it very convenient to associate the location with all applicable charges at the same time.
Creating a Charge Location Record¶
- Click the Location snap-in in any open session.
- add a new record. Tip: Your JustWare Administrator may have set statute codes with activation and expiration dates that are compared to dates relative to the charge-involved person. For example, the date the charge occurred may be a key factor in determining which statutes are applicable when you add a new charge. To ensure that you have the correct list of statutes, complete the Occurred field prior to selecting the Statute.
- Select or type all required and relevant data for each available field. Some fields may be required while others are not.
- Charge: Select the charge with which the record is associated.
- Location: Type the charge location in the text field. Include the complete address of the occurrence (address, city, and state).
- Jurisdiction: Select the charge jurisdiction from the list.
- Notes: Type any related notes in this free-text field.
- Save the Session. (Click Save button or
Ctrl
+S
)
Charge Attributes¶
Charge attributes (similar to name and case attributes) are additional information about a specific charge (e.g. severity, type of weapon used, whether or not domestic violence is involved, etc.). Charge attributes are created by your organization. Be sure to follow your organization's guidelines when adding charge attributes. Users can record and reference useful charge attribute information and relate it to a specific charge, adding ease to the organization and management of a case.
Creating a Charge Attribute Record¶
- Click the Charge Attributes snap-in in an open case session.
- add a new record.
- Select or type all required and relevant data for each available field. Some fields may be required while others are not.
- Charge: Select the charge with which the record is associated.
- Charge Attribute: Select the attribute from the list.
- Value: Enter a free-text value related to the Charge Attribute (e.g., if you selected "Physician Hold" as a Charge Attribute, you could enter the physician's name here).
- Charge Attribute Code: Select a code from the list.
- Save the Session. (Click Save button or
Ctrl
+S
)
Charge Agencies¶
Case involved agencies are associated with specific charges in this snap-in. Multiple agencies can be associated with one charge. For example, the arresting agency and the prosecuting agency can both be associated with each charge in which they are involved.
If there are different case involved agencies, each agency can be associated with specific charges in this snap-in. For example, if a defendant commits a burglary which is investigated by the city police and the defendant is arrested fleeing the scene by the sheriff's office, then the city police office is associated with the burglary charge and the sheriff's office is associated with the evading charge.
Note: Only agencies already involved in the case in the Agencies snap-in can be related to a charge.
Creating a Charge Agency Record¶
- Click the Charge Agencies snap-in in any open session.
- add a new record.
- Select or type all required and relevant data for each available field. Some fields may be required while others are not.
- Charge: Select the charge with which the record is associated.
- Agency: Select the agency from the list. Note: Only agencies already involved in the case in the Agencies snap-in can be related to a charge.
- Notes: Type any free-text notes.
- Save the Session. (Click Save button or
Ctrl
+S
)
Charge Involvements¶
Information about people associated with charges can be documented in JustWare. Users can relate an involved person with a specific charge, adding ease to the organization and management of a case.
If, for example, there are multiple defendants involved in a case, and each has different charges, then they can be associated with the correct charges.
Note: Only people already involved in the case can be related to a charge. See Case Involved People for more information on involving people to a case .
Creating a Charge Involvement Record¶
- Click the Charge Involvements snap-in in any open session.
- add a new record.
- Select or type all required and relevant data for each available field. Some fields may be required while others are not.
- Charge: Select the charge with which the record is associated.
- Involved Person: Select the involved person from the list. Note: Only people already involved in the case can be related to a charge. See Case Involved People for more information on involving people to a case .
- Plea: Select the plea from the list. Pleas can either be added in the Charge Involvements snap-in or in the Judgment snap-in. When you add plea information in one location and save the record, it will be automatically populated in the other location as well.
- Plea Date: Enter the date that the defendant made the plea. You can either type the date or select the date from the drop-down calendar.
- Dispo: Select the disposition type from the list. Dispositions can either be added in the Charge Involvements snap-in or in the Judgment snap-in. When you add disposition information in one location and save the record, it will be automatically populated in the other location as well.
- Dispo Date: Type the disposition date or select the date from the drop-down calendar.
- Notes: Type any free-text notes.
- Save the Session. (Click Save button or
Ctrl
+S
)
Intoxicants¶
Intoxicants associated with charges can be documented in JustWare. Users can record and reference useful intoxicant information including intoxicant type and level.
Creating a Charge Intoxicant Record¶
- Click the Intoxicants snap-in in any open session.
- add a new record.
-
Select or type all required and relevant data for each available field. Some fields may be required while others are not.
- Charge: Select the charge with which the record is associated.
- Intoxicant: Select the intoxicant from the list. Tip: If the correct intoxicant does not appear in the list, ask your JustWare Administrator to add it.
- Level: Type the intoxicant level found in the crime lab or police report in this numeric field.
- Notes: Type any related notes in this free-text field.
-
Save the Session. (Click Save button or
Ctrl
+S
)
Modify/Enhance¶
Modifiers or enhancers are additional elements defining a charge and can be documented in JustWare (i.e. dangerous and repetitive offenders, intoxicants involved, weapon involved, within 1,000 feet of a school, etc.). Users can record and reference charge modifier or enhancer information and relate it to a specific charge, adding ease to the organization and management of the case.
This snap-in can be used when "attempt" is a separate section in the penal code. For example, you can select "Robbery" as the charge and then "Attempt" as the modifier or enhancer related to the robbery charge. This snap-in can also be used if gang affiliation modifies or enhances the original charge.
Creating a Charge Modifier/Enhancer Record¶
- Click the Modify/Enhance snap-in in any open session.
- add a new record.
- Select or type all required and relevant data for each available field. Some fields may be required while others are not.
- Charge: Select the charge with which the record is associated.
- Modifier/Enhancer: Use the Statute Search or Statute Quick Search buttons to perform a lookup. Select the modifier or enhancer from the list of returned results.
- Element: Select the element from the list.
- Notes: Type any related notes in this free-text field.
- Save the Session. (Click Save button or
Ctrl
+S
)
Exhibits¶
Exhibits, items used as evidence in a case, can be documented in JustWare. Users can record and reference useful exhibit information such as type, date received, and date entered. Exhibit information is associated with a specific charge.
Creating an Exhibit Record¶
- Click the Exhibits snap-in in an open case session.
- add a new record.
-
Select or type all required and relevant data for each available field. Some fields may be required while others are not.
- Charge: Select the charge with which the record is associated.
- Type: Select the type of exhibit from the list. Note: Exhibit types are created by your JustWare Administrator.
- Exhibit: Type a description of this item in the text field. Note: This field is limited to approximately 36 characters and should be used to include a brief description of the exhibit and/or the exhibit number.
- Notes: Type any related notes in this free-text field.
- Received: Type the date the exhibit was received or select the date from the drop-down calendar.
- Entered: Type the date the exhibit was entered or select the date from the drop-down calendar.
- Status: Select the status of the exhibit from the list.
- Location or Physical Location: Select either a name from the Location field or a location from the Physical Location field. Your selection will specify either who has possession of the exhibit or where the exhibit is physically located. Both fields cannot be used in the same record row.
- Value: Type any additional notes necessary to clarify the location of the exhibit. For example, if you had selected "Filing Cabinet C" in the Location field, you could type "Second drawer" in the Value field to make the exhibit easier to find.
Note: The remaining fields in the record row are read-only and will be populated after saving the record.
- Save the Session. (Click Save button or
Ctrl
+S
)
Charge History¶
Information about charge history is documented in JustWare. Users can conveniently reference information about any time a charge statute, plea, or disposition has been changed. Only changes to existing Charge, Charge Involvements, and Judgment records will create a record in the Charge History snap-in.
The following information can be viewed:
- Involved Person The person involved with the charge.
- Previous Statute: If the statute was changed, this field indicates what it was previous to the change.
- Type: Indicates the type of change made to the charge (i.e. "Clerical Error").
- Modified On: Lists the date that the modification took place.
- Previous Plea: If the plea was changed, this field indicates what it was previous to the change.
- Previous Dispo: If the disposition was changed, this field indicates what it was previous to the change.
- Previous Plea Date: If the plea was changed, this field lists the date the previous plea was originally entered.
- Previous Dispo Date: If the disposition was changed, this field lists the date the previous disposition was originally entered.
- Notes: Includes any related notes. When a charge history record is created, this field automatically populates with the modification type (i.e. "change of statute").
- Previous Charge Type: If the type was changed, this field indicates what the type was originally.
Editing a Charge History Record¶
Note: You can only create additional charge history information by making changes to a charge record.
- In any case session, click the Charge History snap-in.
- Make any changes in any of the following fields.
- Type
- Notes The following fields are read-only and are populated based on the statute selected:
- Previous Statute
- Modified On
- Previous Plea
- Previous Dispo
- Previous Plea Date
- Previous Dispo Date
- Previous Charge Type
- Save the Session. (Click Save button or
Ctrl
+S
)
Deleting a Charge History Record¶
Since this snap-in lists a history of changes to charge records, you cannot delete current charge history records. You can only add additional charge history information by making changes to a charge record.