NCJ Number
48511
Date Published
1975
Length
90 pages
Annotation
GUIDELINES FOR ORGANIZING A COURT-WATCHING PROGRAM ARE PRESENTED. THE PHILADELPHIA (PA.) PROGRAM IS THE MODEL USED.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM IN PHILADELPHIA WAS STARTED IN JANUARY 1975 AND HAD THREE PRIMARY GOALS: (1) PUBLIC EDUCATION; (2) INVOLVEMENT OF CITIZENS IN IMPROVING THE COURT SYSTEM; AND (3) AIDING THE COURT ADMINISTRATION IN MAKING IMPROVEMENTS. CITIZENS OBSERVED BOTH THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT AND THE NON-JURY TRIAL COURT. EACH OF THE 25 VOLUNTEERS WENT THROUGH A SHORT TRAINING PERIOD WITH MEMBERS OF THE CRIME COMMISSION, WHICH SPONSORED THE PROJECT. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE OBSERVATION PERIOD, RESULTS WERE ANALYZED FROM THE DATA COLLECTED BY THE VOLUNTEERS; THEN THE CRIME COMMISSION STAFF COMPILED A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT. THE OBSERVERS NOTED FACTUAL DATA CONCERNING THE TRIAL AND ALSO MORE SUBJECTIVE INFORMATION DEALING WITH THE ADEQUACY OF THE COURTROOM FACILITIES, THE DEMEANOR OF JUDGES, ATTORNEYS, AND COURT PERSONNEL, AND THE OVERALL ATMOSPHERE OF THE COURT ROOM. A 1-YEAR COURT-WATCHING PROGRAM, DESIGNED AFTER THE ONE USED IN PHILADELPHIA, IS DESCRIBED. A TIMETABLE IS SUGGESTED, AND AN EXPLANATION OF PROGRAM COSTS IS PROVIDED. GUIDELINES CONCERNING INITIAL CONTACTS REQUIRED FOR STARTING A PROGRAM, SUPERVISORY NEEDS, VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING, DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF WORKSHEETS, AND RECOGNITION OF VOLUNTEERS ARE PROVIDED. DAY-TO-DAY ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM IS DETAILED, AND A RECORDKEEPING SYSTEM IS SUGGESTED. THE REPORT GENERATED BY THE COURT-WATCHING PROGRAM SHOULD BE SENT TO THE PRESIDING JUDGE IN WHOSE COURT THE OBSERVATIONS TOOK PLACE. THE REPORT MAY ALSO BE FURTHER PUBLICIZED, ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PREDICT THE INTEREST THE MEDIA OR OTHER SOURCES WOULD HAVE IN SUCH A REPORT. APPENDIXES CONTAIM SAMPLE MONITORING FORMS AND A GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS. (DAG)