NCJ Number
54329
Date Published
1976
Length
77 pages
Annotation
THE COURT MONITORING PROJECT CONDUCTED BY THE FUND FOR MODERN COURTS, INC., IN NEW YORK STATE, DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE AND IMPLEMENT NONLAWYER CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, IS REPORTED.
Abstract
GOALS OF THE PROJECT WERE TO PROVIDE A PRESENCE OF CONCERNED CITIZENS IN THE COURT ROOM, TO COLLECT AND EVALUATE DATA ON FACTORS AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE, TO MAKE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UPGRADING THE COURTS, TO BEGIN A DIALOGUE BETWEEN CITIZENS AND THE JUDICIARY, AND TO HELP AROUSE PUBLIC CONCERN OVER PROBLEMS IN THE COURTS AND THE NEED FOR REFORM. A PRIMARY CONCERN IN ACCOMPLISHING THESE GOALS WAS TO INSTITUTIONALIZE COURT MONITORING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PROJECT FOCUS ON CITIZEN ACCESS TO THE COURTS, DELAYS, ADJOURNMENTS, DEFENDANT RIGHTS, PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND DECORUM, AND MOMENTUM FOR CHANGE. THE METHODOLOGY OF THE PROJECT IS DETAILED. REPORTS ON FOUR AREAS ARE PRESENTED (POUGHKEEPSIE, ROCHESTER, GLENS FALLS, AND NEW YORK CITY) THAT CONTAIN BOTH NARRATIVE AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION. (DEP)