Mission Statement

The principal Mission of the Butler County Criminal Justice Advisory Board is to identify and prioritize strengths and deficiencies in the criminal justice system of Butler County; to seek out and formulate solutions and opportunities for improvement and to provide the forum through which to effectuate change on a system - wide basis.

Vision Statement

The Butler County Criminal Justice Advisory Board is the forum for promoting community and professional collaboration that protects the interest of all persons served; promotes innovative approaches to criminal justice problem issues while promoting a confident, safe and secure Butler County community through an effective and just criminal justice system.

In August 2001, marked increases in the volume of criminal cases referred to the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County prompted District Attorney, Timothy F. McCune and the Honorable Thomas J. Doerr, President Judge to submit a joint request to the Criminal Courts Technical Assistance Project (CCTAP) at the American University, Washington, D.C. Both D.A. McCune and President Judge Doerr were concerned that the Butler County criminal justice system was not adequately or efficiently addressing countywide population increases and resultant criminal justice system referrals. The American University Team participated in a site visit to Butler County from November 13-15,2001.

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CJAB's Founding

In March 2002, the technical team from American University submitted their report and recommendations to Butler County. Most prominent among their recommendations, were the development of a criminal justice coordinating council and a resulting strategic plan. It was noted that none of the other additional recommendations could possibly be acted upon until a vested intra-county forum existed for the purpose of identifying, prioritizing and confronting the significant criminal justice system issues facing Butler County. Subsequently, the Butler County Criminal Justice Advisory Board was established in October 2002 and the development of its initial strategic plan in April of 2003.

The Butler County Criminal Justice Advisory Board was officially recognized by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency in June of 2004 by approving a grant proposal for the creation of a formal CJAB and providing funding for the establishment of a CJAB office and creation of a Grant Writer/Criminal Justice Planner position to act as the liaison amongst the various members within the CJAB.

It is the sole intent and purpose of this advisory board to recognize inefficiencies, deficiencies and areas in need of improvement and to make those improvements and/or recommend improvements be made to the appropriate entity in the interest of improving the administration of fair and impartial justice within the County of Butler.

Through regular Executive Committee, General Membership and sub-committee meetings problems are identified and solutions sought. As directed, the Grant Writer/Criminal Justice Planner carries out the day to day operations of the Butler County CJAB, conducts research and seeks funding to accomplish certain tasks as identified by the various sub-committees and approved by the CJAB General Membership.

It is because of this collaborative effort that the administration of justice within the County of Butler is recognized as being amongst one of the most progressive counties within the Commonwealth. It is also recognized that as the county continues to grow and evolve, so too must its criminal justice system and it will be through the efforts of the Butler County Criminal Justice Advisory Board that the county will continue to be on the cutting edge of positive change.