40-3-202 - Legislative intent. - Tennessee Statutes

40-3-202. Legislative intent.

The intent of this part is to provide district attorneys general of this state the resources necessary to deal effectively with fraud, economic, and other crimes, and to provide a means for obtaining restitution in bad check cases prior to the institution of formal criminal charges. Subject to the limitations of § 40-3-209(b), the use of any moneys collected under the provisions of this part shall be directly related to fulfilling the prosecutorial duties of the district attorney general of the district and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

     (1)  The enhancement of those resources as may already be available in each district for the prosecution of bad check cases, fraud and other economic crimes and to increase assistance to the victims of those crimes by aiding in the collection of restitution;

     (2)  The hiring of expert witnesses including, but not limited to, computer specialists, as the need arises;

     (3)  The expenses of specialized training for staff members to enhance their knowledge of methods of combating fraud and economic crimes and general criminal law enforcement when funds for training are not available; provided, that payment for training shall be limited to in-state programs unless the district attorney general determines that training is essential and not reasonably available within the state of Tennessee;

     (4)  Matching federal grants directly related to prosecutorial duties of the district attorney general;

     (5)  Salaries and salary supplements, which may only be paid through the district attorneys general conference for support staff (subject to the limitation of § 40-3-209(b) on the use of any funds to supplement the salary of any assistant district attorneys); provided, however, that not later than January 1, 2004, the district attorneys general conference shall perform, or cause to be performed, a classification/compensation study of support staff reasonably required for the effective operation of district attorneys general offices;

     (6)  The purchase of equipment and supplies necessary to carry out the purposes of this part; and

     (7)  The expenses of travel in the performance of official duties of the office that are directly related to prosecution of fraud and economic crimes and general criminal law enforcement when funds for travel are not available, subject to the limitations of the state of Tennessee comprehensive travel regulations. No moneys collected under the provisions of this part shall be used to pay travel expenses in excess of the rates authorized under state travel regulations.

[Acts 1984, ch. 998, § 2; 2003, ch. 291, § 1.]