NCJ Number
102751
Date Published
1985
Length
20 pages
Annotation
A case management system, entitled the 'mention system,' was implemented at the Moonee Ponds and Prahran Magistrates' Courts (Victoria, Australia) to alleviate court delays, reduce inconvenience to the public, and efficiently deploy magistrial time.
Abstract
Under the system, all cases for a defined geographical area are channeled to the Mention Court. Other courts are designated as hearing courts. For cases heard by the Mention Court, police informants and witnesses are not required to attend, and all cases in which defendants plead guilty are disposed of summarily. All other cases are adjourned to the hearing courts on dates agreed to by the concerned parties and the court-coordinator. In those regions where this system is in operation, significant benefits have been achieved. The court system is recognizably more efficient, police time in court has been reduced, and there has been an elimination of delays both prior to the hearing and at court. Further, problems associated with court delays, such as stress for victims or witnesses and blurring of witnesses' memories, also have been reduced. As a result of these benefits, it has been proposed that the system be extended to other court-user organizations such as municipal councils and the road traffic authority. Notices for mention court appearance and provisions of the Bail Act are appended.