NCJ Number
145242
Date Published
1993
Length
35 pages
Annotation
The annual report for New York's Community Dispute Resolution Centers Program for April 1992 to March 1993 updates the program's 12th year of operation and describes the program as an alternative to formal court proceedings.
Abstract
Community dispute resolution centers are available to every New York citizen. In 1992-1993, these centers served 106,388 people involved in 43,688 cases; 24,049 conciliations, mediations, and arbitrations involved 68,179 individuals. In 83 percent of mediations, the parties reached a voluntary agreement. During the year, 47 percent of referrals to centers came from the courts; 11 percent were walk-in complaints, 11 percent were from police and sheriff departments, and 2 percent were from district attorneys. In addition, 10 percent of referrals were made by public agencies, 7 percent by private agencies, and 4 percent by schools. Disputes were between acquaintances (18 percent), neighbors (18 percent) landlords/tenants (14 percent), immediate or extended family (6 percent), boyfriends/girlfriends (4 percent), and strangers (3 percent). Of the dispute cases, 36 percent involved harassment allegations, 17 percent breach of contract, 8 percent housing, 8 percent interpersonal disputes, 7 percent assault, 4 percent personal/real property, and 4 percent custody. Nearly half of the disputes involved matters of a criminal nature; 51 percent were civil and 5 percent involved juvenile problems. It took 15 days from intake to final disposition for the average single-hearing dispute and 46 days for the average multiple-hearing dispute. The centers provide indirect services in the form of assistance, referrals to appropriate resources, and other helpful information. They also teach conflict management skills to students and serve mobile home park owners and tenants. Characteristics of center staff are described, as well as the selection and training of volunteer mediators. A current list of community dispute resolution centers by county is appended. 12 tables and 4 figures