NCJ Number
88888
Date Published
1982
Length
113 pages
Annotation
The Court Watch Project promotes public scrutiny and accountability of prosecutors, judges, and parole boards who are too lenient with criminals at the expense of crime victims and the law-abiding public.
Abstract
The manual supplies nuts-and-bolts information so that average citizens can take an active role in reducing crime and holding courts accountable for their actions. It describes the various ways, in practical terms, for becoming involved in scrutinizing and holding officials accountable, including various court monitoring programs. It provides a checklist on ways to approach the proper officials and the media. Suggestions as to what citizens can do before and after the criminal is sentenced are given. Appended materials compose most of the document. These include organizational charts of State court systems in California, Colorado, Delaware, Texas, and New York; names of felony courts in different States; and a list of State courts of appellate jurisdiction. Selection and qualification standards for State judges, the typical progression of criminal litigation, and methods for removing State judges and filling vacancies are given. Information on parole and revocation hearings, judicial disciplinary sanctions, and a victim impact statement are included. Commonly used legal terms, sample newspaper articles, sample judicial score cards, useful addresses, and 10 references are supplied.