NCJ Number
2259
Date Published
1970
Length
149 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF THE LOWER CRIMINAL COURT PROCESS OF METROPOLITAN BOSTON.
Abstract
DESCRIPTIVE AND STATISTICAL DATA ON THE ENTIRE LOWER CRIMINAL COURT PROCESS OF METROPOLITAN BOSTON FOR SUMMER OF 1969. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT CERTAIN LOWER CRIMINAL COURTS IN GREATER BOSTON SERIOUSLY ABUSE PRINCIPLES OF FAIRNESS AND DUE PROCESS. MANY PRACTICES SUBJECT THE FATE OF DEFENDANTS TO CONSIDERATIONS UNRELATED TO GUILT OR INNOCENCE. TWO BASIC FEATURES OF THESE COURTS ILLUSTRATE THE QUALITY OF THE PROCESS - LITTLE ATTENTION IS PAID TO THE RIGHTS OR THE PLIGHT OF THE POOR. THEY ARE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AT ALMOST EVERY TURN. WE HAVE CONCLUDED, ON THE BASIS OF HARD STATISTICAL DATA, THAT IN DETERMINING GUILT OR INNOCENCE, A MAN'S FINANCES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE CHARGE. THE LOWER COURT PROCESS PERMITS AND INDIRECTLY ENCOURAGES WIDE VARIATIONS IN THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE DISPENSED IN THE SEPARATE DISTRICT COURTS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE IN THESE COURTS. EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS IS FOUND IN APPENDICES. (AUTHOR MODIFIED)