NCJ Number
18112
Journal
Judicature Volume: 58 Issue: 6 Dated: (JANUARY 1975) Pages: 270-275
Date Published
1975
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A DISCUSSION OF THE NEED FOR CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT PROCESS, WITH A REVIEW OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PROGRAMS CURRENTLY IN OPERATION AND SUGGESTIONS ON ADDITIONAL INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS FOR LOS ANGELES.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT THE COURTS ARE AMONG THE LAST OF OUR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS TO RESPOND TO THE GROWING NATIONAL EMPHASIS ON CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT. SEVERAL COURT WATCHING PROJECTS, SUCH AS THOSE IN INDIANAPOLIS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, AND WASHINGTON, D.C., ARE DESCRIBED. IN THESE, CITIZENS ATTEND COURT TO OBSERVE PROCEEDINGS. SUCH OBSERVATIONS HAVE RESULTED IN IMPROVED ATTENDANCE BY JUDGES AND ARRESTING OFFICERS, IN LOITERERS BEING CLEARED FROM THE HALLS BY BAILIFFS, AND IN BETTER PREPARATION OF CASES BY PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS' DEPUTIES. VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS WHICH DEAL WITH METHODS OF COURT PROCEDURES, JUVENILES, REFERRAL SERVICES, PRE-TRIAL RELEASE, AND PROBATIONERS ARE DESCRIBED. PROBLEMS OF COURT RESISTANCE TO CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE ON THE INITIATION OF SUCH PROJECTS AS A NEIGHBORHOOD ARBITRATION CENTER TO HANDLE CERTAIN NONCRIMINAL MATTERS, PRETRIAL RELEASE PROGRAMS, MORE EFFICIENT JUROR UTILIZATION AND BILINGUAL CITIZEN COURT OBSERVERS.