Tags are a versatile tool that can be utilized to improve your reporting capabilities. You decide which tags are added to the system so the possibilities are endless.
Note: To add and edit tags, and apply them to cases, the Tag Manager Module must be enabled. For more information about enabling the Tag Manager Module, see the article: What is the Tag Manager Module?
This article is provided to give you some examples of how you can use tags to easily organize and reference Case information. These are only suggestions and if you wish to use them, they must be added to your system by an administrator on your account. Continue reading to see examples of how you can create effective tags and categories. For more information on adding tags to your system, see the article: How do I add and edit Tags? For a full list of tag examples please see the article: What Are Some Examples of Tags That I Can Create?
Let's take a look at some examples of Tag Categories:
Note: Adding tags and categories must be done by an administrator on your account. For more information about creating tags and categories in your software, see the article: How do I add and edit Tags?
Tags are added to a case on the" Tags" tab of the Case Screen (shown below). For more information about the "Tags" tab, see the article: How do I view/edit Case Tags?
- The "Tags" tab is marked by a tag icon on the row of icons below the top blue bar. Clicking the icon will display the Case Tags block.
- The Case Tags block shows the tags that have been applied to the case on the left side of the block. On the right side, you will see tags that are available to be added.
Now, let's take a look at some example tags.
Each Tag Category that has been added to your software will appear on the left side of the Case Tags block. They are marked with a bold header that labels the category. For our example, we're going to add the tag "Active" to show that this case is active. Before we continue, let's take a look at the other available tags and examine how they can be utilized. Remember these are only suggestions and the tags shown are not in your system by default.
- Refused
- This tag can help track the number of cases in your agency that do not go to trial. utilizing this tag along with others may show insights into the type of cases that are being refused and why.
- Active
- Easily track active cases using this tag. Compare to refused cases to see the ratio of cases that proceed.
- Disposed
- A case can be marked as disposed after the resolution of that case. Add more detail to a disposed case with the following tags to show what resolution was decided.
- Closed/Unfounded
- This tag can be used to add additional detail to a case closed because of false claims.
- Closed/Victim Uncooperative
- If a client refuses to cooperate with your agency or law enforcement that can be tracked using this tag. A benefit to this tag is you can track individuals and demographics that repeatedly are uncooperative.
- Closed/Arrest Made
- If the case leads to an arrest, it can be marked with this tag. Use this in combination with other tags and information in your system to see what type of cases are leading to arrests.
- Closed/Warrant Issued
- Cases that provide sufficient evidence to law enforcement to get a warrant can be marked with this tag. Use this to track the cases that are successful in obtaining a warrant and potentially see trends in cases that lead to this result.
- Closed/Forwarded to Prosecutor
- This tag can be useful if a prosecutor is looking for information on a case that was forwarded to them.
- Cold Case
- Cold cases can be tracked by using this tag. Use of this tag and all the tags above can give your agency an idea of the dynamics of your cases.
Next, let's take a look at the Disposition category of tags that we have added for example.
- Adjudicated
- Marking cases with the adjudicated tag will let you reference these cases later in reports to see how many cases are going before a judge for a final decision.
- Adjudication Withheld
- Use this tag to track cases where judgment is withheld. Consider other tags to track fines or other penalties that may still result from the case.
- Plea Agreement
- If a plea agreement is reached in a case, record that with this tag. Remember, you are able to add multiple tags so consider tags for sentencing that could be used in addition to the Plea Agreement tag.
- Deferred Prosecution Agreement
- When a deferred prosecution agreement is reached, the defendant is obligated to certain terms to avoid sentencing such as rehabilitation classes. It is likely the victim has also agreed to this. Consider additional tags that could track the progress of the defendant in rehabilitative programs or payments of restitution to your client.
- Probation
- Terms of probation can vary, but consider additional tags that can track a defendant's probation conditions to support the safety of your client.
- Jury Trial - Guilty
- If a defendant is found guilty in the case, this can be used to mark it as such. Use this tag to track the cases your agency has handled that end in a guilty verdict.
- Jury Trial - Not Guilty
- When a defendant is found not guilty this tag can be used to show the not guilty verdict for the case. This means the defendant is free so you can consider possible tags to support follow-up actions with your client on the case to support their health and safety.
- Dismissed
- If a case is dismissed before or during a trial, it can be tracked with this tag. Consider other tags such as dismissed with prejudice and dismissed without prejudice to see cases where charges could be refiled.
- Unfounded
- Mark cases that had no evidence with this tag.
- Adding tags with the names of prosecutors will provide you with the name of the prosecutor to contact regarding the case.
- Call Out
- If your agency receives a case/client's info from a call out form, it can be marked with this tag.
- Walk-in
- Use this tag to track the number of cases in which the client seeks your services.
- Daily Reports
- If a case is started from information found in a daily report you can use this tag to track it and other cases started in the same way.
- Referral
- See the Referral Type tags below to see tags you can add for more detail if a case is referred to your agency.
Next, let's look at Referral Type tags.:
- User Referral Type tags to track how cases are coming into your agency. Consider additional tags for the contact info of the agency or individual that referred the case to you.