Audit of the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office

This is a state performance audit of the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, focused mainly on its Diversion Program and Victim Witness Program during calendar year 2017.

“In this performance audit, we examined NDAO’s activities related to the administration of its Diversion and Victim Witness Programs.”

The State Auditor reviewed the office because Massachusetts law gives the auditor authority to audit state agencies and programs.

“In accordance with Section 12 of Chapter 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) has conducted a performance audit of the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office (NDAO) for the period January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.”

The audit matters because diversion can help young people avoid a criminal record, but without measuring results, the office cannot tell how well the program is serving the public.

“Consequently, NDAO cannot determine whether this program effectively and efficiently provides a tangible benefit to the community it serves.”

For ordinary residents, the key point is accountability: if a public program is meant to help young people avoid lasting harm from minor offenses, the public should know whether it works and whether it needs improvement.

“When participants have successfully completed the program requirements, the charges against them are dismissed before arraignment.”

The auditor’s main recommendation was not to end the program, but to use the data the office already collects to evaluate whether the program succeeds and where it could improve.

“NDAO should consider ways to evaluate the Diversion Program data that it currently collects to help identify measures of program success other than participants’ successful completion of the program, identify areas where program improvements may be needed, and support requests to the Legislature for any necessary program-specific funding.”

The report urges the office to evaluate its diversion data more seriously, including looking beyond whether participants simply finished the program requirements.

“Therefore, we again urge NDAO to consider ways to evaluate the Diversion Program data that it currently collects to help identify measures of program success other than participants’ successful completion of the program and identify areas where program improvements may be needed.”

The finding is significant because the auditor could answer two audit questions but could not reach a conclusion on the Victim Witness Program because access limits affected the audit work.

“These constraints prevented OSA from reaching a conclusion on one of the three audit objectives and significantly delayed the completion of the audit.”

“Diversion Program” means a chance for eligible young people charged with certain nonviolent offenses to complete requirements like classes, community service, restitution, or an apology letter so the charge can be dismissed before arraignment.

“Program participants can postpone their arraignments for 90 days while completing the requirements of the program, which may include paying restitution, sending a letter of apology, performing community service, and completing an education program in person or online.”